Local students will no longer have to travel to Polokwane to access services of the University of South Africa (Unisa). Unisa´s Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Principal: Learner Support and Students Affairs, Professor David Mosoma, officially opened the university´s new educational centre in Louis Trichardt last Friday.

The centre comprises a library, computer centre, student’s financial assistance offices and administration offices. In his address, Professor Mosoma said the primary objective of Unisa´s regional office was to reach out to remote rural communities and provide access to all members of the community who meet the university´s minimum admission requirements.

"The new office will go a long way in advancing this objective, because it brings Unisa closer to the people. Members of the neighbouring communities do not need to travel to Polokwane or Pretoria in an attempt to access services offered by Unisa. It is costly in terms of travel expenses," he said.

Mosoma said that the establishment of the new facility was necessitated by the steady growth in student numbers in the area. "We currently have over 4 000 students registered in the Makhado area. This is indicative of the quest for knowledge among the people of Makhado. This encouraged us to release essential resources in order to make this facility a centre of excellence in the province," said Mosoma, adding that a mobile library will also be available at the facility and will move around the villages.

He further encouraged community members to make use of the new facility, so that they can get information regarding programme offerings, applications and registration processes.

According to Mosomane, the launching of the new facility means that Unisa will be able to offer services almost similar in comprehensiveness to what is available in Polokwane and the main Pretoria campus.

The facility was officially opened by the acting mayor of Makhado Municipality, Cllr Patricia Reynecke, who challenged the people of Makhado to take advantage of the facility, so that they can realize their lifelong learning goals and objective. "South Africa needs a highly skilled labour force and innovative entrepreneurs in order to become globally competitive," she said.

The event was addressed by the acting senior manager of the department of education in the Vhembe District, Mr Mashudu Mananzhe, who applauded Unisa´s move to establish the educational centre in Makhado.