The Department of Higher Education and Training has outlined its blueprints for not one, but two new universities in South Africa.
As part of the 2022 National Council of Province Policy Debate Vote, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande noted that new universities are on the cards, with focused study parameters.
Nzimande expressed that feasibility studies for the two new universities have started.
The first new varsity is projected to be the University of Science and Innovation, while the second expresses a new Crime Detection University.
Nzimande said that these will be developed through “the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG) to the value of R6 million.”
“The total amount currently available for investment in infrastructure projects across the 26 universities during the 2022/23 to 2023/24 MTEF period is R7.584 billion with R2.953 billion going towards student housing for the delivery of 16 858 beds across 11 universities (15 898 new beds and 960 refurbished beds). Much as this signifies further progress, it is clearly not enough, and will therefore seek partnerships with the private sector. We intend to secure some pilot agreements this year,” Nzimande noted.
The University of Science and Innovation will focus on STEM subjects, as BusinessTech reports, including data science, machine-learning, artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics and hydrogen power technologies.
As for the Crime Detection University, the focus will be aimed at developing advanced skills that will aid the police in investigations.
This follows other developments at different educational levels, with innovative news coming from the Department of Basic Education that will include four new language options for South African schools.
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