Every rand matters, no amount is insignificant Author: Xolani Mathibela
UP’s Fundraising Office hosted a donor appreciation webinar in honour of all givers, big and small, and shared the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its strategy for the way forward. “A university community is made up not only of its staff, students and alumni but, fundamentally, its donors as well,” said Professor Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at UP, who was the moderator of the panel. “Some donors provide material resources, while others build institutes and contribute to infrastructure. Without donors, a university is nothing,” said Prof Kupe, adding that with the act of donating, “donors also express confidence in an institution”. The webinar’s panellists consisted of the University of Cape Town’s Chancellor, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe; Professor Wanda Markotter, Director of UP’s Centre for Viral Zoonoses; and Professor Tiaan de Jager, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UP.
Prof Markotter pointed out that researchers need platforms that are adaptable, even beyond COVID-19. “We need to develop more platforms for new diseases and forge more collaboration as far as research is concerned. We have limited resources and greatly appreciate our donors, for without them we cannot do research.” According to Prof De Jager the University has been finding ways to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 since the early stages of the pandemic. “When COVID-19 started, UP was already prepared. We were the first institution to do 3D-printed face masks and have supplied them to various needy places,” he said. “Without partners and donors, the battle against COVID-19 will be difficult to win,” he said.
Dr Moloi-Motsepe said the goal of the Motsepe Foundation, which was founded in 1999, is to increase young people’s access to university education. Currently, the foundation has committed to about 300 bursaries to all 27 universities in South Africa. “I am proud to say some of those students are at UP.
Two virtual agreements were also signed to help fight the fallout of the pandemic. One was with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to increase work to translate knowledge into actual societal impact. Another partnership, with the University of Leeds, will work on research around food security and food systems across the continent as the pandemic worsens hunger in impoverished communities.
“As funders we may be limited in terms of our thinking on how to help communities, so we do a lot of consulting and roadshows annually and ask community members how we can assist them. We also align ourselves with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of the 17 SDGs, we support 12,” she said.
UP relies on three sources of income
Asked if donations to UP would be diverted to operational costs due to the financial strain faced by universities at the moment, Prof Kupe responded: “We will repurpose our operational budget to deal with our operational costs, and maintain a sharp focus on spending. Donor funding will be kept for what it is intended, because beyond COVID-19 we still want to retain everyone’s trust.”
Government grant subsidies
Student fees/ tuition
Philanthropists/ donors
University of Pretoria | TUKKIE 27
