The PGSA plans to access funds from available University sources to implement its programmes. Attempts are also being made to secure funds from outside organisations and student subscriptions. As a new association, PGSA still needs equipment such as computers, printers, a photocopier and a fax machine. We therefore appeal to individuals and organisations out there who are willing to contribute to the welfare of postgraduate students at the University of Cape Town to contact us through our e-mail addresses, that appear on this page.
Funding Proposal
Introduction
The Postgraduate Students Organisation (PGSA) is a representative Association which is concerned with all the interests of Postgraduate students at UCT. We are more than simply a student society: we exist to voice the needs of all Honours, Masters and PHD students regardless of whether they register as members or not. We are accountable to all the postgraduate students of the University, who are automatically represented by us.
Role
The role of the PGSA is by and large defined by the newly proposed University Act, this Act will have major implications on the governing bodies. The overall governing body of UCT, the University Council, is now moving towards the admission of postgraduate students into its decision-making structures, whereas before, only undergraduate students were included. UCT has recognised the growing importance of postgraduates to the reputation and standards of any academic institution. We are deeply committed to participating in policy matters that concern the future and well-being of postgraduates. We currently have representation on the Interim Institutional Forum, which aims at establishing dialogue between staff, students and management. We participate in meetings of the University Research Committee, where decisions regarding academic policies are made. We are currently negotiating for seats on the Student Parliament. Because housing is a key postgraduate issue, we are observers of all meetings of the Residence Committee, which governs UCT residences.
Research is vital to the academic integrity of any university, and UCT is no exception. As much ground-breaking research is done by postgraduate students, the PGSA aims to support all members in this undertaking. We realise that funding for research is a growing problem because of diminished resources, including subsidy cuts, which postgraduate students are faced with on an ongoing basis. The University, itself undergoing government subsidy cuts, finds itself unable to maintain the majority of postgraduate research projects. We are committed, together with the Postgraduate Scholarships Office, to finding innovative sources of financial support for our members through external bursaries and potential work/study programmes.
Objectives
The overall objective of the Society is to attain and preserve a high quality of postgraduate education for students at the University. This can be addressed under the following categories of action and involvement.
1. To address issues of concern to postgraduate students, such as:
- quality of research supervision
- intra and inter departmental communication, as well as inter university communication within South Africa and abroad
- course content/structure
- examination procedures
- research funding strategy
- career development policies and information
- availability and quality of research infrastructure
to enhance the general welfare of postgraduate students
2. To propose initiatives whereby the above issues can be addressed at the appropriate level within the structure of the University.
3. To canvass attitudes and represent the University postgraduates on a range of wider issues affecting the quality of postgraduate education at the University.
4. To constantly evaluate the roles and socio-political context of postgraduate education in South Africa.
5. To organise social functions for postgraduate students.
Motivation
Office Space and Common room
Because the University grounds are undergoing massive renovation, we currently do not have office space and are operating from the Postgraduate Scholarships Office. The PGSA has 10 executive members, including the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary, who we need to accommodate. We will be allocated space in one of the new buildings, where we plan to establish offices and a common room.
The common room, the first of its kind at UCT will be a vibrant meeting place for postgraduates ofll disciplines. A small kitchen is planned, where postgraduates can make refreshments and feel at home.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting is a very important event in the postgraduate year. At this meeting, issues are debated and new members of the Association are elected for the forthcoming year. The Treasurer’s and Chairperson’s Reports on the progress of the Association are given. It is imperative that the date and location of this meeting be adequately advertised. This is quite an undertaking in the light of the fact that the campus is large and the buildings of different faculties are spread throughout the city.
The success of the GM depends, to a great extent, on good marketing strategies. It has become customary for the PGSA to invite members of other Universities and institutions who may be interested. Catering is important both because it encourages students to attend, and because the election process is quite lengthy. It is essential that a full quorum of students come to the meeting in order for the Association attain as complete a participation of members as possible.
The PGSA has received a once-off grant of R5000 from the Postgraduate Scholarships Office.
Expenditures so far
| T-shirts with logo | R 900 |
| Brochures | R 500 |
| Website design and implementation | R1500 |
| Administration | R1000 |
| R3900 |
Projected costs for 1999
Office
| Second-hand office desks x3 | R1455 |
| Second-hand sets of drawers | R 975 |
| Second-hand filing cabinet | R 491 |
| Second-hand office fan | R 100 |
| Second-hand heater | R 100 |
| 12 chairs | R1920 |
| Conference table | R1000 |
| Computer with modem | R7000 |
| Printer | R2000 |
| Fax | R1500 |
| Installation costs-telephone lines | R 800 |
| Poster board | R 300 |
| Sub-total | R24 841 |
Common Room
| Sofas (seating for 20) | R4000 |
| Small tables x 6 | R1920 |
| Second-hand office fan | R 100 |
| Second-hand heater | R 100 |
| Mini fridge | R 900 |
| Urn | R1200 |
| Table for urn | R 330 |
| Sub-total | R8550 |
AGM
Posters
| Design | R1500 |
| Printing | R1000 |
| Venue Hire | R 300 |
| Banner | R1600 |
| Catering | R3750 |
| Stationery | R 50 |
| Sub-total | R8200 |
General
| Stationery per month | R 200 |
| Telephone calls per month | R 500 |
| Faxing per month | R 500 |
| On-going Website maintenance | R 300 |
| R1500x 10 months | |
| Sub-total | R15000 |
TOTAL R49 291
Future Plans
The PGSA intends to go from strength to strength in attaining its objectives. However, it is also prepared to be flexible in the face of the continued and ever-changing challenges that constantly face postgraduate students in South Africa. We wish to enhance the postgraduate experience at UCT, so that every student will feel at home and know that his or her needs are optimally addressed. This included both local and international students. UCT attracts students from all over the continent of Africa. The PGSA requests your support in order to fulfil its mandate.