ISFAP celebrates first cohort of medical graduates
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) recently celebrated the achievements of its first cohort of medical graduates at a year-end function.
The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) class enrolled in 2017 was one of the first Health Sciences recipients (along with students from the pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy disciplines) to be piloted as beneficiaries of the scarce skills funding programme.
Established as a solution to the “Missing Middle” – students who come from households that are financially strained, but yet don’t qualify for government funding – ISFAP is headed by programme co-ordinator, Sinegugu Khuzwayo, at UKZN.
In his opening remarks, Director of Professional Services in the College of Health Sciences, Professor Fanie Botha, acknowledged how ISFAP has grown from strength to strength with bursary applications now being open to students in the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences, and Law and Management Studies. "We’ve seen ISFAP grow within the university and it's lovely to see this programme taking off and taking shape in the way that it has," said Botha.
Welcoming guests, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Busisiwe Ncama, said she was happy to see such events making a comeback after the devastating impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted the event as an auspicious occasion that celebrated the achievements of 55 MBChB UKZN students for completing their degrees successfully.
Examining the “Missing Middle” as the most challenging group in sourcing funding, Ncama thanked the College’s Management team for working tirelessly behind the scenes in making sure that no student is left behind. She also thanked ISFAP for their funding, which includes tuition fees, accommodation, meals, books, stationery, laptops and a monthly stipend; and their wraparound support in the form of tutors, mentors, academic advisors, psychological consultations and financial and work readiness programmes.
Said Ncama: "We are proud that all students in the pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy disciplines who were funded by ISFAP have graduated and are currently serving community service duties in various public hospitals in different provinces, which points to how well we’ve worked with ISFAP."
Lindelani Duze, ISFAP Regional Manager, said the day was an opportunity to embrace and celebrate the excellent partnership between ISFAP and UKZN. Thanking the students for their hard work, commitment and dedication, he highlighted how UKZN students always deliver exceptional academic results, making it easier to seek and secure support from funders.
Xabiso Honono and Fanele Gina gave heart-warming testimonials on how the ISFAP bursary had changed their lives. Honono said the funding was a lifeline she had been praying for and would forever be grateful to the programme for allowing her to pursue her dream of being a doctor. She also acknowledged Khuzwayo for going above and beyond the call of duty by taking on the role of mother, sister, friend and confidant. Gina reflected on how the programme had produced more than just doctors, but holistic individuals who had taken up leadership positions in residences and student representation and served the community through tutoring and mentorship.
Morné Du Toit, ISFAP CEO, said it was incredible to spend time with future leaders who would change the country and the world. Recognising Khuzwayo for her hard work, he noted how the programme required team effort to provide support to more than 1 000 students in 11 universities across the country.
Du Toit commented on how privileged students were to be graduating from UKZN as an institution known for its rich history, quality education and outstanding reputation. Acknowledging the various funders for making the programme possible, he said: "We cannot take all of the credit. We receive the money as a conduit and are trusted as good custodians to invest it in worthy and good causes such as successful students, like yourselves."
Thanking the students for their commitment, he highlighted how they have honoured their side of the contract and implored them to pay it forward in different ways – either through tutoring and mentoring or becoming donors once in senior positions. "Remembering who helped you get to where you are today is the only way this system can become sustainable," said Du Toit.
Closing the event, Khuzwayo reflected on the start of the programme in 2017 and thanked everyone for making it a success. Acknowledging the students for a relationship built on trust and care, she encouraged them "to go out there and live their lives responsibly and to keep their feet centred safely on the ground".
The audience enjoyed some medical banter from programme director and academic leader in Human Body and Function, Dr Andile Khathi.
Ten certificates of appreciation were handed out to final-year students for their dedication and outstanding academic performance during the programme.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela