The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt and affect our lives in the most unprecedented and unpredictable ways. The measures that are put in place to contain the virus have a huge impact on how higher education institutions operate especially in terms of teaching and learning. In the context of the lockdown and other necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of staff and students, we opted to continue with teaching and learning through an online mode of delivery. In preparation for the online teaching and learning, we conducted a survey among students to determine their state of readiness. A large number of students have indicated that they do not have the necessary devices or network connection and/or electricity. It is crucial that we continue with academic activities in order to complete the semester and the academic year. Therefore, we have launched the NWU COVID-19 Response Fund whose objectives are;
a) To support the students with laptops/devices; and
b) To offer support to staff, students and the communities around our campuses with necessary equipment and other needs.
We have budgeted about R30 million (for data and devices) to support remote teaching and learning, which will not be sufficient.
We kindly request our stakeholders (staff, alumni, partners, donors and all friends of the NWU) to make donations into the NWU COVID-19 Response Fund. Donations will be used to procure laptops for students and/or equipment or any other intervention(s) to support staff, students or communities around the NWU campuses.
An 18A Tax certificate will be given to qualifying donors. With your support we believe we can help our students to complete the academic year. For inquiries kindly contact Mrs Celeste Rossouw at 13044249@nwu.ac.za.