We have commenced with the 2024 academic year at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP). I want to take this opportunity and welcome all our students, both new and returning to the University of Mpumalanga, our UMP. Know that all students at UMP are important part of our Division, namely, Student Affairs, and we value them a lot.
I am privileged and honoured, as the Dean of Students and the Head of the Student Affairs Division, to lead a dedicated team of colleagues who are ready to serve you. We commit to focus our energy on creating a healthy, safe, inclusive and vibrant environment to offer each and every student of our University a quality student life experience. We further pledge our commitment to create opportunities where, as students in our care, you can maximise your personal potential while pursuing your educational dreams. Our staff members are ready and prepared to provide you with all the necessary support that you will require during the course of this academic year.
The University of Mpumalanga is an amazing institution with so much to offer. Take time, explore and embrace the rich opportunities that our University seeks to present to you. The Student Affairs Division promises to provide support from academic support programmes, living and learning activities, to co-curricular, health care, counselling, well-being services, and personal development programmes to students.
Our Division is responsible for Student Housing; Student Health Services; Student Governance and Development as well as Sports and Recreation. We are committed to the provision of an environment that is conducive for the holistic development of students. As such we have, consciously, taken a decision to be a student-centred Division that provides appropriate student accommodation; an effective student governance system; vibrant sports and recreation services; and student-centred health and wellness services. All these services are provided to ensure that our students have a life-changing educational experience that leads to growth and development.
There are those students who were not able to get accommodation on Campus and have found accommodation in the accredited private accommodation in and around town. I want to make a special call to you all to give us feedback on your experiences in the accredited private accommodation facilities. The feedback will assist us when we engage with the landlords of the accredited private facilities to ensure that you also experience a positive accommodation experience in those accredited private facilities.
As a student of UMP you should always know that, we are here for you and we are readily available to assist and support you. Therefore, call on us should you need assistance or encounter any unexpected obstacle along the way. It's our responsibility to help you to experience a memorable period during your stay at UMP. I invite you to read more about our Division and the available services that we have for our students.
Best wishes for the 2024 academic year and may you have an amazing UMP Experience.
Dr Paul Maminza
Dean of Student