The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has welcomed the launch of the School of Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University. Earlier this month, the University announced the establishment of the new school, which will be officially launched in June 2021.

Extracts from the media statement issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation:

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, welcomes the launch of the School of Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, which will be officially opened in June 2021.

The establishment of an academic School focusing on climate change is a potentially promising step to enable our academics and students to build a well-rounded body of scientific knowledge and skills to enable not only a better understanding of the problems, but also sustainable responses to a new horizon of challenges facing humanity.

Global humanity is currently faced with the fourfold crises of COVID-19; deepening economic crises; the crisis of families, household and communities to make ends meet; and climate change, Minister Nzimande said.

 “I hope this will set a trend for our other universities and TVET Colleges to establish similar initiatives focusing on various aspects of the multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional challenges and opportunities presented by climate change and its inter-connectedness with other social and natural phenomena," said Minister Nzimande.

Minister Nzimande believes that all South African universities and TVET Colleges must urgently plan their differentiated and collective contributions to help us to not only better understand climate change dynamics, but also to work towards changing the world for a better and more equal humanity.

Click here to read more about the School of Climate Studies

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