UJ raises R147m to support ‘missing middle’ students

The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) “missing middle” students funding campaign has, in just five months, raised R147 million and exceeded its 2017 year-end target of R120 million, the university said yesterday.

This after the institution embarked on a series of fundraising initiatives, the UJ said in a statement.

One such initiative was the Future Walk on May 20 that resulted in staff, students and members of the community taking proactive steps to raise awareness and funds to support the studies of “missing middle” students.

On that occasion, R2 million was raised.

At the time of its launch in February 2016, the campaign was the biggest fundraising campaign yet undertaken by a South African institution of higher learning.

The campaign secured, in 2016, R101 million through the collective efforts of the university management, working with the UJ Council, convocation, and student representative council (SRC).

As a result, the university was able to assist 3 858 “missing middle” students pay tuition fees for the 2016 academic year.

“For 2017, we had set ourselves the target of raising R120 million in order to assist close to 4 000 ‘missing middle’ students pay their tuition fees,” UJ vice-chancellor and principal Ihron Rensburg said.

We have managed to exceed the target through generous contributions from business and industry, the public sector, our suppliers, and the UJ Future Walk.

“We will continue these efforts during the remainder of 2017 to expand our support to academically deserving ‘missing middle’ students who are in dire need of financial assistance.”. –ANA