Private Partnerships with Universities
TSiBA
TSiBA offers emerging leaders an opportunity to study an enriched Bachelor of Business Administration degree that is focused on Entrepreneurship and Leadership. Their guiding philosophy of “Pay it Forward” is just one of the ways in which TSiBA students and staff are able to ensure that the full tuition scholarships afforded to their students are used to further the education and lives of the communities in which they live and the greater society of the Western Cape. According to TSiBA, they “work to give those around them a boost.” Over the past five years, Dell has invested over R1.6 million into TSiBA, assisting them in the infrastructural and educational development of the facility. In 2011 Dell will be investing in three students to study at TSiBA. As we move forward, one of Dell’s Enterprise Development beneficiaries will be providing TSiBA with strategic IT support. TSiBA students will also be involved in the Dell Western Cape Calendar of events.
University of the Western Cape
For seven years Dell has been supporting a Bursary Program with UWC. As these students come from underprivileged backgrounds, Dell does not only provide funds for an undergraduate degree but also gives each student their own Dell laptop, campus residential fees, monthly personal allowance, books, travel money, additional tuition if required and ad hoc medical fees. Dell employees also take time out to visit the students, finding out how their studies are going and what they are involved in. Lecturers at UWC, in particular, have commented on this donation of time and genuine interest as being truly significant. Dell sponsors and hosts an annual end of year function for the students where they can meet other Dell staff members and celebrate their achievements for the year. Two students have been selected from Christel House, another Dell beneficiary, for the UWC bursary program. Students are also offered a one year internship position at Dell once they graduate. We currently have over ten UWC graduates completing their internship at Dell.
University of Venda
This year we initiated a bursary program with the University of Venda. The same principles applied to this as with the UWC bursaries where the students selected come from underprivileged backgrounds and have academic potential. Dell will be providing each student with a three year undergraduate degree as well as their own Dell laptop, campus residential fees, monthly personal allowance, books, travel money, additional tuition if necessary and ad hoc medical fees. Dell sponsors and hosts an end of year function for the students where they can meet other Dell staff members and celebrate their achievements for the year. Students are also offered a one year internship position at Dell once they graduate. We look forward to this journey with the students and the University. Two of the students chosen for this bursary program were selected from one of our beneficiaries, Humana People to People.
University of Witwatersrand
A third Dell bursary program was launched this year for a student at the University of the Witwatersrand. The selected student not only stood out academically but was on a sports scholarship at a local Johannesburg school. He is currently playing in the University of the Witwatersrand’s rugby team.
Vaal University of Technology
On March 8 2011, Dell attended the official handover of R418 000 to the Vaal University of Technologies Maths & Science program. The program entails an upgrading project where +- 100 Grade 12 learners are supported in Mathematics, Physical Science and English. This support will be provided over weekends and holidays to prepare learners to write/rewrite these subjects and improve the pass rate for these courses. The project costs cover lecturer fees, science equipment and use of laboratories, stationery, photocopying and material costs.
UJFM
UJFM was originally known as RAU RADIO and has been a student radio station since inception in 1987. With the incorporation of the Soweto and East Rand campuses, the Rand Afrikaans University evolved into the entity called the University of Johannesburg, which birthed its new voice, UJFM in 2005. In 2010 the station was named “The Third Best Radio Station” in Johannesburg by the ‘Best of Joburg’. With constant attention applied to creating a quality on-air product, UJFM 95.4 only lacked the necessary tools to bring a plethora of talent to the masses. With this in mind the station approached Dell who were able to provide six laptops for their presenters who can now bring even more up-to-date and relevant content to their listeners.
