(Published - 21 April 2020)

Dear student

I trust you are well and keeping safe. As Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor, my top priority is your wellbeing. I need you to know that myself and UWC’s management have been working tirelessly to ensure that you complete the academic year amidst the COVID-19 lockdown. 

The obstacles facing UWC are very different to neighbouring universities. For example - the vast majority of students at the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Cape Town have devices and internet access. However, our survey showed that 30% of you do not have devices such as laptops or internet access. 

To address this, UWC’s Executive Management Committee has approved the diverting of R14-million of the University’s annual budget to the flexible learning campaign.

We have launched the #NoStudentWillBeLeftBehind campaign which has yielded generous responses from alumni, the public and even current UWC students who have made donations. 

In addition, we have embarked on a crowdfunding initiative on the BackaBuddy website. To date, more than R34 000 has been raised. 

If you have not completed the survey which was sent out last month, please make contact with us to discuss your situation with regards to access to devices and connectivity.

Call us on 021 959 3900/1
Email us on admissions@uwc.ac.za
Or fill out this electronic form: https://forms.gle/GyrgrF2a8G8ZPy1ZA

Yours sincerely 
Professor Vivienne Lawack 
Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor