Earlier this year, the Unisa Foundation, together with the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD), submitted a proposal to the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) for financial support to procure essential technologies for students living with disabilities. TİKA more than generously responded to the call by purchasing the necessary equipment worth R600 000, which was unveiled at a formal handing-over ceremony at Unisa’s Main Campus on Tuesday 29 October 2024.

Her Excellency, Aysegül Kandas, Turkish Ambassador, delivering her address. She was assisted by ARCSWiD sign language interpreter, Sophy Mabaso.

Part of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TİKA focuses on development cooperation. Working in more than 150 countries, the organisation is responsible for organising the bulk of Türkiye’s official development assistance to developing countries, with a particular focus on Turkic and African countries and communities.

The donation package includes

• 22 computers
• 10 Accuratus Monster 2 hi-visibility keyboards
• 10 metal keyguards for Accuratus Monster 2 keyboards
• 5 nAbler joysticks
• 5 nAbler trackballs

Devices currently used in Unisa’s regional multipurpose computer labs have become obsolete and are no longer compatible with the latest software versions. ARCSWiD’s Acting Deputy Director and author of the proposal, Bheki Nxumalo, explained: "The devices needed by the students for teaching, learning and research had limited operational capabilities and therefore students’ usage has dropped significantly. The donation of the devices will be essential in boosting academic support for students with disabilities."  

Unisa’s commitment to inclusivity

Securing this generous donation showcases Unisa’s commitment to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all students, particularly those living with disabilities. A total of 3 328 students (2 062 females and 1 266 males) living with disabilities study at Unisa. They are spread across its seven regional offices who will be able to implement the donated devices to the benefit of these students.

This wall plaque was unveiled and will be installed at the ARCSWiD multipurpose lab at the Sunnyside Campus

Engagements with TİKA began in October 2023 as Unisa needed to address challenges of limited access to assistive technologies and inadequate infrastructure within ARCSWiD – which, when well-equipped, will enable it to be in a better position to promote inclusivity at Unisa.  

Prof Moloko Sepota, Acting Registrar, said that Unisa sees the donation as a continuation of the efforts to strengthen science diplomacy. "We are expected to provide not only access, but access with success," he said. "We believe that this donation is going to assist us in ensuring that we improve success within our system."

Frankie Mojapelo, Director, Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations; Prof Moloko Sepota, Acting Registrar, Unisa; Her Excellency, Aysegül Kandas, Turkish Ambassador; Abdulkadir Abukan, TİKA Coordinator; and Bheki Nxumalo, Acting Deputy Director, ARCSWiD

Sepota further stated that as a development and cooperation partner of South Africa, TİKA should be proud of the assistance offered to Unisa. "This is especially because it addresses one of the most important pressing needs in our society, and I can assure you many students are going to benefit from that."

Friendships across borders lauded

Hailed as instrumental in contributing to the academic and scientific agenda of the university and the country, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, thanked the Turkish Ambassador, Her Excellency Aysegül Kandas, for her involvement in and support of various Unisa activities.

Unisa Principal and Vice Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, officially welcoming the Ambassador of Türkiye to South Africa. She was assisted by ARCSWiD sign language interpreter, Sophy Mabaso.

She continued: "We express our gratitude for your generosity, partnership and commitment to scientific diplomacy and identifying our university as an important lever for the advancing universal access and support for students with disabilities, and particularly the friendships our countries enjoy."

Ambassador Kandas bid farewell to the university on high note as she will be ending her term in the country at the end of the year. "Here in South Africa, we will miss her contribution to the advancement of diplomacy, relationship and support," said LenkaBula as she wished Türkiye a happy National Day which is celebrated on 29 October.

Lasting legacies and mutually beneficial relations

In her message, Ambassador Kandas highlighted the work Türkiye is doing in the country through programmes to support communities at South Africa’s 26 universities. TİKA‘s work in the country has seen an investment of over R70m for the past seven years, amounting to 20 projects per year which focus on women, youth, disabled people and disadvantaged groups.

The Ambassador said that significant investments have been made in higher education, and continued: "I really believe in university-to-university cooperation, and that we should revitalise certain relationships and especially the cooperation and dialogue between certain departments for universities to get much closer."

She concluded to say that "Türkiye will continue doing these projects and with a view to touching the lives of people, making an impact, strengthening people-to-people relations between our countries."

* By Busisiwe Mahlangu, Communication Coordinator, Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations, Department of Institutional Advancement