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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

11.1 Student-Centric Infrastructure
As outlined in various sections of the report, all new buildings are being designed to support the learning in spaces that are
not only limited to lecture halls but extend beyond into other spaces related to the holistic development of students. In 2019,
various infrastructural projects were implemented in support of our strategic and academic growth trajectories, including the
construction of new student residences on our George (200 beds) and Gqeberha (1 800 beds) campuses. Construction on the
first phase of student residences in Gqeberha was due to start in October 2019, but progress was delayed due to SMME site
closures in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. In total, R580 million was incurred on capital expenditure in respect of infrastructure
for 2019. A further R246 million for capital development projects has been approved for future contracting.

Despite unforeseen delays during 2020 caused by the restrictions imposed during various levels of national lockdown,
infrastructure projects have made progress in support of our strategic and academic priorities. This includes the completion of
the new student residence on our George campus (200 beds) and ground broken for the new residences in Gqeberha (1 800
beds). Other infrastructure projects include the Medical School’s clinical skills building at Missionvale Campus and the Ocean
Sciences Campus in Summerstrand.

In line with the University’s digital-first approach, ICT infrastructure continues to expand to address the digital transformation
imperatives of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, ICT Services is contributing towards the automation of key business
processes and supporting remote working and online learning, teaching, research, and engagement. The investments made
in prior years proved worthwhile, allowing the University to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic with agility. The use of digital
platforms for collaboration and online work happened seamlessly. Platforms such as MS Teams and Zoom were availed, and
an accelerated configuration and deployment ensured that the University did not grind to a halt due to lockdown or minimal
use of its physical infrastructure. Self-help tools and systems under the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) banner
were rolled out. The University’s drive to expand its digital footprint is gaining momentum from the rebranded website, which
will assist in broadening awareness of the Mandela University identity and brand. In collaboration with the academic staff, ICT
Services provisioned platforms for e-assessments and gave support to other academic administration processes. Webinars,
virtual graduations, and registrations took place seamlessly.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an urgent need for digital solutions to enable social distancing, thus making the
reliance on and role of technology ever more crucial. To this end, the University embarked on a process of mapping out
its digital transformation journey across all core academic functions and support services. COVID-19 has demonstrated the
need to rapidly advance virtual approaches to working, including the migration of teaching, learning, research, innovation,
and engagement activities onto digital platforms. For example, specialised software packages were procured to promote the
academic integrity of online assessments and proctoring. The University reallocated savings from traditional service delivery
approaches to enable investment in ICT infrastructure and services. The ICT systems development team worked tirelessly
to automate and develop applications, including COVID-related systems for those returning to campus. Booking systems
(computer labs, library, transport etc.) proved invaluable in tracking movement onto campuses. The University’s Corona Task
Team, headed by the DVC: People and Operations, was critical in providing strategic leadership to various fronts of University
life. Technology platforms provided the ease of access to processes and analytics that guided decision making with respect
to Covid-19 compliance.

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