Moving Forward Together
Making a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic
#COVID-19 Relief Fund
These past weeks have been a challenging time for us all as we traverse this ‘new normal’ as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our SU community has been rallying in response: our Food Science researchers turned stale bread into hand sanitiser; hundreds of Tygermaties volunteered to serve on the frontline; and 45 multidisciplinary coronavirus-related research projects and activities are unfolding in various environments across the University.
We find this so inspiring! And wish to continue moving forward together as we negotiate this unprecedented pandemic. Huge challenges remain whilst new opportunities lie ahead of us. As we move forward, your ongoing support and contributions will become increasingly vital to help us make a significant impact on society. With that said, Stellenbosch University has identified five areas where we, with your help, can make a difference.
So, how can YOU get involved and support SU during this Covid-19 period? We welcome your support across any of these areas and trust you will show your continued confidence in SU as we face these unprecedented times together.
Digital Access for SU Students
We have decided to focus on digital access for our students to give them the tools to complete online learning and teaching. A recent survey indicated that around 880 students urgently require support for us to successfully move into online teaching and learning. Each laptop costs up to R8 000. Can you lend a hand to address this challenge and stand with our students during this period to support this urgent priority?
Click here to contribute
#Move4Food
We will be bolstering our support for our student-led #Move4Food campaign to curb student hunger. Not knowing where the next meal will come from is a reality for many South Africans, including our SU students. The bleak reality is that a lack of access to affordable and nutritious food on South African campuses is rife and Stellenbosch University is no exception. Your support of the #Move4Food campaign not only touches our students’ lives every day, it is also a powerful and exemplary demonstration of your commitment to transforming the lives of young people.
Click here to contribute
Support for SU Healthcare Workers
Our SU healthcare workers are operating on the frontlines of this pandemic and need our support. This would include personal protective equipment, food stations, anything related to reducing the risk of contamination (separate tea and coffee stations, for instance) and logistical support. Can you make a difference?
Click here to contribute
Research & Innovation Response
In line with our strategic framework and the focus on research for impact, we remain committed to supporting the global pursuit to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. SU is involved in a range of efforts to fight this pandemic – from developing a method for preventing and treating microbial growth on manufactured products including packaging materials, to a synthetic pharmaceutical in the test phase as a supportive agent for the treatment of Acute/Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The list goes on! At times like these we’re reminded how much the world needs the sciences and how the gathering and sharing of knowledge is in everyone’s best interests.
Click here to contribute
#StellenboschUnite
Stellenbosch University has partnered with the wider Stellenbosch community under the umbrella of #StellenboschUnite. Via this partnership, we are working on procuring and distributing food and provision parcels to vulnerable community members. The project aims to deliver a minimum of 2 500 food and provision parcels per week. To secure the 2 500 parcels, the initiative requires a minimum amount of R250 000 per week. Your support would ensure that we can contribute to this cause.
Click here to contribute
