Pretoria – The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) have announced a new partnership agreement, establishing the NRF-SAQA Scholarship Programme.
The Scholarship Programme aims to jointly support postgraduate students who are refugees and asylum seekers based in South Africa.
This partnership signifies a shared commitment to promoting research and development, advancing knowledge and skills in South Africa, and crucially, providing essential educational opportunities to refugees and asylum seekers residing in the country.
This initiative will facilitate access to postgraduate studies by providing funding for scholarships to enable their enrolment in Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral programs at South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Under this new agreement, the two entities will co-fund refugee and asylum seeker students at postgraduate levels for a period of three years.
The Parties will each cover 50% of the yearly costs of the NRF-SAQA Scholarship Programme which will include scholarships as well as additional necessary study support services.
The NRF will provide the NRF-SAQA Scholarship Programme funding for one year for Honours, two years for Master’s, and three years for Doctoral studies, with possible extensions at the discretion of the Parties for satisfactory performance.
In addition to the Partial Cost of Study scholarship, which covers annual tuition and accommodation or living and transport allowances, the scholarship will also provide tailored support services and research support.
Signing the agreement on behalf of the NRF, Dr. Gugu Moche, Group Executive: Digital Transformation and Acting Deputy CEO: Research, Innovation, Impact Support, and Advancement, said this collaboration was a pivotal step towards fostering inclusivity and empowering a vulnerable population within our academic landscape.
“By providing access to postgraduate education, we are not only nurturing academic talent but also contributing to the societal integration and self-sufficiency of refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa,” said Dr. Gugu Moche.
“We believe this program will have a profound and lasting positive impact.”
SAQA is the state agency responsible for evaluating foreign qualifications and advising on their recognition.
SAQA is a key player in implementing the Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, and Other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in African States (Addis Convention).
It also implements the recently ratified UNESCO Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning higher education and thus brings invaluable expertise to this partnership.
Commenting on the partnership, Nadia Starr, CEO of the SAQA, said: “This partnership is a significant step forward in our implementation of the Global and Addis conventions as ratified by our country, but importantly, also a further step in our endeavours to recognise and advance the skills of the large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers hosted in SA.
“This project signals a viable trajectory for these individuals to continue their education and contribute meaningfully to their host country.”
Although considerable international effort has focused on the recognition of refugees’ qualifications, far less has been done to ensure their meaningful access to higher education and employment opportunities.
Recognition alone is not enough – it must be accompanied by pathways that enable refugees to study, work, and contribute fully to society. Addressing this gap is essential to realising the full intent of global and regional conventions.
The NRF-SAQA Scholarship Programme marks a critical move in this direction, offering a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to supporting displaced and marginalised communities.
This initiative is also in line with the broader G20 theme of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of inclusive development. By empowering refugee and asylum seeker students, the programme contributes to building resilient and equitable knowledge societies.
The NRF will be responsible for issuing calls for applications, checking eligibility and completeness, and organising the selection committee meeting that will include representatives from both Parties.
The NRF will also assess academic merit, considering the unique challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, including disruptions in their education.
The scholarship will prioritise full-time postgraduate students residing in South Africa who are recognised as refugees or asylum seekers by the South African government.
This partnership exemplifies a significant stride towards a more inclusive and equitable higher education and collaboration between state entities in South Africa.
