Established in 2013, UMP enrolled the first cohort of 169 students in February 2014. Celebrating its 10th year in existence, the institution expected to enrol 8 000 students in 2023, up from just over 7 100 students in 2022. However, this year the university has received a record number of applications for the 2023 academic year.
Speaking to some of the first-year students who come from different parts of the country and neighbouring states, it is clear that everyone is excited about what 2023 may hold, and that they take particular pride in having been accepted to study at the University of Mpumalanga, so that they may graduate and go out into the world and help to change it.
Limpopo-born N’wayitelo Chuma has registered for a Diploma in Hospitality Management. The aim of the course is to provide students with the appropriate knowledge, technical and personal skills and attitudes to work effectively, efficiently and sustainably at operational and supervisory levels within the hospitality industry.
Chuma says: “I am excited that I have been accepted and registered at the University of Mpumalanga. I am looking forward to learning new skills that will enhance my career options in the field of hospitality and tourism. Studying at UMP will help me get a job and hopefully in future I will own my own restaurant or hotel to employ young people from my hometown.”
Dlamini is looking forward to joining the UMP netball team.
Chuma chose UMP because she saw the opportunities it has created for graduates who are from her hometown. “What stood out for me was the assistance received, from being financially cleared to registration and finally getting my student card. I can’t wait to see more of the university and the facilities that are here. I will be staying on campus which will help me attend classes on time, and will allow me to experience student life to the fullest.”
UMP Deputy Registrar, Ms Nokukhanya Shongwe, notes with great pride that the applications have more than doubled since last year.
“We received 107 000 applications in 2022. This number has more than doubled this year with just over
210 000 students applying to study at UMP in 2023. Though we wish we had the capacity to accommodate every applicant, we only had to accept 2 817 new students.”
Another student, Sukoluhle Dlamini, has chosen to do a Diploma in Nature Conservation because she has intentions and the drive to solve nature's disasters currently faced by the world.
“I chose the University of Mpumalanga because it’s closer to home and I know a lot of students from home who also helped me with my application.”
Chuma wants to learn more about animals and the environment.
Having attended the open day last year, Dlamini already had a good grasp of what to expect when she came to campus. With a keen interest in wildlife and conservation, she says:
“I am looking forward to learning about nature and animals and hopefully get a chance to actually work with wild animals. I got a chance to look at the facilities and infrastructure of the campus during the open day early last year, that’s how I knew I wanted to be a UMP student.”
Dlamini added that she was also particularly keen to meet new people from other parts of the country, and that she looks forward to joining the netball team.
Adding to the excitement of being at UMP is Siphozinhle Khwalo. All the way from Gauteng, she is studying towards a Bachelor of Science General degree and chose UMP because she wants to become a specialist in her chosen field.
"Since I have intentions to major in Geology and Geography, I've noticed that since the ozone layer is 'depleting' we have more rainfall, which leads to roads and fields being damaged."
Khwalo further added: "I would like to introduce new minerals that will be strong enough to be used in the fields so that it will not be easily ruined and will limit the damage to especially roads."
This year, registrations took place both online and on campus. Newly registered students were encouraged to attend orientation to learn more about UMP and to familiarise themselves with the university's facilities.
The Student Affairs division is ready and committed to focusing their energy on creating a healthy, safe, inclusive and vibrant environment that will offer each and every student at UMP a quality experience at university.
The 2023 registration process was a great success and was streamlined with the help of UMP staff as well as returning students who also made sure that students were able to acquire accommodation both on and off campus.
@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures Supplied.