The Tata Africa Scholarships 2008 were formally awarded at a prestigious ceremony held at Wits University today. This is the third year that Tata Africa has awarded full scholarships for postgraduate study across all fields of study to Wits University.

“These prestigious scholarships should be seen as an acknowledgement of achievement, and it is the responsibility of each recipient of this award to emulate this achievement,” said Prof. Loyiso Nongxa, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal. “When visiting India two years ago, I made two distinctive observations which speak directly to the establishment of these prestigious awards – the investment by corporations and the private sector into higher education and knowledge institutions and the emphasis on producing quality teaching, learning and research (academic excellence) despite socio-economic disparities.”

To date, 39 Tata Africa Scholarships have been awarded to students at Wits University. These fully-fledged scholarships cover the student’s tuition fees, living costs, books and accommodation for the year of study. The funding is provided to students who are financially challenged and have a proven academic track record throughout their undergraduate years.

According to Professor Rob Moore, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Advancement and Partnerships at Wits University, the partnership between Tata Africa and Wits University represents a new trend in the field of corporate social investment, incorporating triple bottom line reporting – society, environment and profit. “The take-up of this approach in South Africa has been relatively slow. In contrast, these awards celebrate one of the leaders in this new approach to CSI – Tata Africa and its partnership with Wits University.”

Mr Raman Dhawan, Managing Director of Tata Africa says: “The Tata Group has always believed in returning wealth to the society it serves. Tata believes that no success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile unless it is achieved by fair and honest means, and serves the needs or interests of the country and its people. We are committed to skills development in South Africa and are proud to support Wits University by providing scholarships to these deserving students.”

He emphasised the need for the students to conduct their business based on stringent values that includes integrity, honesty and transparency; excellence; unity and social responsibility. “Your education gives you power and tomorrow you become the new leaders of society. I leave you with two messages - avoid any form of corruption and give back to society.”

Moore adds: “Wits takes great satisfaction from its role as a partner with and a channel for Tata Africa’s investment in broader society. The fact that Tata Africa has chosen as a partner one of the premier universities on the continent demonstrates the corporation’s commitment to high-quality initiatives that benefit the society it lives in.”

Oluwatoyin Kolawole, an award recipient and Pharmacy PhD said: “These awards have led to the furtherance of academic knowledge, the creation of new ideas and the development of scarce and critical skills that is much needed by Africans living in a globalised economy in the 21st Century.”

Reading for her PhD in demography studies (a scarce skill) under Prof. Clifford Odimegwo, Head of Population and Demography Studies at Wits, Nicole de Wet, a Tata bursary recipient expressed her sincere gratitude to Wits University, Tata and her mentors for their selfless contribution to her future.

Evans Netshivhambe, a student reading for his PhD in Music emphasised the obligation that students had to use the financial support on offer to them fruitfully. “We are fortunate to have been given the key that can open several doors. However, we must use our knowledge to search for and open the right doors to achieve success. In this way we can create new ideas and new knowledge and information to further development in our society,” he said.

Prof. Yunus Ballim, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Vice-Principal complimented the students for challenging the assumptions made in society. “This is the mark of a good graduate – it is more than just passing a high-level examination,” he argued.

Wits University is proud to collaborate with Tata Africa on a number of initiatives. In addition to the Tata Africa scholarships, Tata has donated a top-of-the-range off-road vehicle for use in the Ndlela Research and Clinical Trials Unit, a major rural community health project driven by Wits’ School of Public Health. It was established in 2006 to conduct clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of HIV and related diseases like tuberculosis in rural South Africa.

Wits University has also enjoyed a strong relationship with Tata Consulting Services (an IT-focused subsidiary) and negotiations are underway for Tata and Wits to partner in an extensive programme to provide access to technology for marginalised communities.