SAICA and Standard Bank assist students

Programme will help those studying accountancy at WSU

The SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) has partnered with Standard Bank to introduce a new programme that will provide financial support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them achieve their academic goals.

The programme, also referred to as the Thuthuka Project, will ensure that Walter Sisulu University fourth year accounting students will receive funding and financial support as they study towards their careers in accounting.

Students studying at SAICA-accredited universities will be eligible for the funding, namely University of Zululand, University of Venda and Walter Sisulu University in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape, respectively.

Selection is based on the student s previous results. The student’should have no funding and must be African or coloured, which is the transformation mandate.

SAICA executive for funding and transformational projects Gugu Makhanya, explained the long-term impact of the programme for students in heading into the accounting industry.

“Many of the students that are studying at HDIs are African students from previously disadvantaged and in particular rural areas.

“Therefore, this partnership will have the added ripple effect of benefiting rural communities in the long run as these students became educated and qualified professionals.

“This support will ensure that these students are fully funded and can focus on ensuring that they complete their qualifications and enter into PGDA,” Makhanya said.

Added support that students will receive includes trainee opportunities in the Standard Bank CA training programme once they have successfully completed their PGDA studies. Standard Bank will also offer students vacwork should the need arise.

❝ This partnership will have the added ripple effect of benefiting rural communities in the long run