Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
Project Zero initiative opens doors to university
Author: Pia Nänny
Published: 01/06/2016

​They are dealing with the challenge of tests, exams, a high work load and the adjustment of being a student at Stellenbosch University and living in a residence. 

But thanks to the Project Zero initiative, a group of 18 students in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences do not have to deal with financial worries.

In 2015, the Faculty launched Project Zero, an initiative to reduce to zero the actual cost of studying at Stellenbosch University (SU) for talented students. Project Zero bursaries together with the University's recruitment and merit bursaries suffice to cover the recipients' tuition, accommodation and living expenses.

 The first cohort of Project Zero bursary recipients started their undergraduate journey in January 2016 and the initiative has opened doors for students who would have struggled to attend university otherwise.

A bursary was Lionel Gordon's only hope. This former learner from Bernadino Heights High School in Kraaifontein is a strong academic student who matriculated with seven distinctions, who knew he wanted to study Actuarial Science and who wanted to do it at SU.

His dream is to be successful and secure: To be able to buy a modest house and car​ and to travel, with France, Italy and Spain topping his list of dream destinations.

But only a bursary would make this possible. "I had to apply for bursaries because that was the only way that I would have been able to study here," he explains.

Now that his dream is becoming a reality he knows that only hard work will ensure success. He is supported by his aunt and cousin, who became his family when his mother passed away nine years ago.

Lionel is enjoying his course and staying in Eendrag Men's Residence. He would love to contribute to the Project Zero initiative one day to assist others who, like him, would not have been able to afford to study at SU otherwise.

Courtney Alexander, who matriculated from St Joseph's Marist College in Rondebosch last year, couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the e-mail informing her that she was the recipient of this bursary.

"I called my mother to come and read the e-mail because it seemed too good to be true," she said.

There was never any doubt in Courtney's mind that she would attend university. She discovered a passion for accounting in Grade 10 and knew she wanted to become an accountant.

It would have been difficult, but she believes her mother – a teacher and single parent after her dad passed away a few years ago – would have made a plan. The bursary changed everything. Not only is she able to follow her dream but she is also helping her mother by not adding financial pressure.

Even at school her studies were her priority. "I knew that hard work would open door," she adds.

The bursary offer is made on the basis of academic merit to BCI (Black, Coloured and Indian) students. Most of the students who accepted the bursary in 2016 registered for a degree in either Actuarial Science (9) or Accounting (8).

The scope of Project Zero will greatly depend on collaboration with the University's external stakeholders to leverage the funds the Faculty is budgeting internally.

Photo: The dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Prof Stan du Plessis (left), and the chairperson of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Prof Willie Conradie (right), with some of the Project Zero bursary recipients. Photo credit: Hennie Rudman