Wits University: readiness for the 2025 academic year, governance, administration, teaching and learning and related matters; with the Minister

Video The Committee met with the Witwatersrand (Wits) University and related stakeholders to discuss the institution’s readiness for the current academic year and other related matters. The presentations highlighted Wits’ commitment to academic excellence, financial stability, and student success while addressing key challenges. The Vice-Chancellor and Council Chair emphasised rising student enrolments, financial aid efforts, and private-sector partnerships to support the "missing middle." The university remained financially stable, with a budget of R11.76 billion, but student debt and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme's (NSFAS's) inefficiencies remained concerns. Student services had expanded to support mental health, crisis assistance, and food security. Accommodation challenges persist, despite adding private-sector beds. Safety, gender-based harm protection, and leadership development were priorities. Research and innovation continued to grow, with investments in digital learning and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven education. The Wits SRC raised issues of financial exclusion, housing shortages, and digital access, calling for expanded financial aid, rent regulation, and mental health services. Student protests reflected frustrations over financial struggles and the criminalisation of activism. The university's unions acknowledged constructive engagement with management, but raised concerns about budget cuts, AI in teaching, and institutional transparency. They called for better staff support, fair employment practices, and improved working conditions. The discussion focused on persistent challenges at the university, particularly regarding student debt, financial aid, accommodation, transformation, and stakeholder engagement. Concerns were raised about the institution's lack of proactive measures to address these issues, with Members questioning why certain problems recurred annually. There were inquiries about the accreditation of student housing, t