Department of Public Works and Infrastructure

Minister Patricia De Lille hands over bursaries to matriculants enrolled for Built Environment courses at South African Universities.

The Built Environment Student Chapter is platform intended to be a one stop shop for students to access topical information; industry development and innovation; researched articles and publications from various institutions. The Chapter has been well received by both students and built environment faculties at these institutions. I therefore appeal to the recipients to use this opportunity wisely and walk this journey with us to becoming one of the engineers or architects who one day soon will be part of building an important project for our country and our people. As mentioned earlier, there is so much more to do in the way of infrastructure development in our country and we need committed, hardworking professional to do the job. Ladies and gentleman, DPWI’s Skills Pipeline Programme and the newly launched Student Chapter is a testament to the commitment by DPWI to seriously invest in our students who are pursuing careers in the built environment. There is a lot of work to be done in our country and we need more skills in our country and we are starting with this investment in our young people. Overall since the programme started, around 13% of former bursary recipients have gone on to work in the private sector and others are working in government inclusive of municipalities. As we award the bursaries today, our recipients will also benefit from a University Readiness Workshop to equip the bursary recipients with basic knowledge and understanding of university life in order to set them up for the journey ahead and to ensure they make an easy transition from high school to university. This programme is also an important part of our work of building a capable and ethical state as part of the seven key priorities of the 6th administration. You are here today because government has made an investment as you are receiving a bursary to study for a degree in a built environment course and I want to encourage you to grab this opportunity with both hands. Your education is one of the most important investments you can make into yourself to secure your future and be part of building our beautiful country. Today we are here to celebrate with all our matriculants and I want to congratulate you on your achievement of completing your school career.