25 June 2003

Northern Cape Premier Manne Dipico has welcomed the establishment of the first tertiary educational institution in the province, saying it will go a long way to building intellectual capacity within civil society and business by unearthing quality leaders in the province.

The institution, which is likely to be a combination of a technikon and university, offering "cross-breeding programmes", started operating early this year, and has about 9 000 registered students studying for degrees, certificates and diplomas in science and technology, nursing, education, other humanities and technical subjects.

Last year, Mpumalanga established a similar institution. The two provinces were the only ones in the country that did not have any institutions of higher learning, resulting in many students moving to surrounding provinces to further their studies.

The National Plan for Higher Education has ordered a reduction in the number of public tertiary institutions in the country from 36 to 23 through mergers.

Speaking at the launch in Kimberley on Monday, Dipico said the move would enable the province "to retain the interest and engagement of our most creative, courageous and innovative intellectuals for the growth of our province and its economy."

Source: BuaNews