Department of Accountancy Equity Development Programme
Purpose of the Equity programme
The UJ Equity programme assists students from disadvantaged communities in their accounting studies to obtain the CA (SA) qualification and contribute to the economic and social upliftment of South Africa.
There is a shortage of African and Coloured Chartered Accountants in South Africa. Although the number of African and Coloured students that study B Com (Accounting) at UJ has increased over the past years, an insufficient number of candidates successfully complete their studies to meet the market demand.
The students on the Equity programme are funded by SAICA’s Thuthuka Bursary Fund. Students enrolled on the Thuthuka Bursary take out a NSFAS loan for half of the costs, and the other half is funded by the firms and companies that contribute to the Thuthuka Bursary Fund. After completing their studies, Thuthuka allocates students to one of the firms for a training contract. Applications for the Thuthuka Bursary are open to matriculants.
Methodology
The Equity/Thuthuka programme at UJ is founded on the following principles and pillars:
- To use group dynamics in accelerating the learning process and providing the students with a support structure. The students are for instance all staying together in a private residence close to UJ and a culture of support and care for each other is encouraged.
- To provide the students with additional academic support that helps them to attain a thorough knowledge of the subject content and to stimulate discussions in class. These additional classes are called Fundanathi (“we are learning together”) classes.
- To encourage the students to study continuously and monitor their progress. The students write a one-hour equity test each week. Students mark their own scripts after writing the test. The test memorandums and exam methodology are discussed in detail with the students after the test.
- To impart the life skills that are necessary to help the students develop those skills that are needed in the workplace.
- To provide each student with a mentor, but to also request students to mentor other students on the project.
- To do language and logic exercises with the students that enable a better comprehension of the English language and provide the students with relevant problem-solving skills and techniques.
- To impart a sense of social responsibility.
The team that runs the programme
The equity team consists of three full time staff members of the Department of Accountancy: a Chartered Accountant, an educational psychologist and an academic article clerk.
Induction programme for 1st year students
The 1st year students participate in a 2-week induction programme at the beginning of their academic year. The following are the most important components of the induction programme:
- Group activities
- Computer skills
- Life skills
- Foundation in Accounting
- Study and reading skills
- Residential accommodation
All the equity students stay together in a private residence, which is within walking distance from the UJ campus.
How to find out more...
Contact the Programme Coordinator at UJ:
Mr. Jelvin Griffioen
Kingsway Campus
D-240
+27(11) 559 - 3395
jelving@uj.ac.za
SAICA Thuthuka
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
011 621 6600
www.saica.co.za