A Stellenbosch University staff member recently surpassed her own target to raise R49 000 for student bursaries. Prof Karin Baatjes, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) vice dean at the faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS), set herself the goal to run 49km and in the process raise R49 000 for the iThemba Bursary Fund, according to Felix Spies, FMHS fundraiser and partnership manager.
The iThemba Bursary Fund is an in-house bursary scheme at FMHS, explained Spies.
“It’s not about the money, it’s also about the numbers and the positive feeling,” said Prof Karin Baatjes, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) vice dean of the faculty of medicine and health sciences. It’s about keeping the students “at the core of what we are doing”, added Baatjes. PHOTO: Supplied/Karin Baatjes
On 1 March, the R49 000 goal was surpassed, said Baatjes.
According to the fundraiser home page, at the time of publication, R56 524 has been donated to the initiative. The 49km and R49 000 goal were inspired by her 49th birthday in January, explained Baatjes. Furthermore, the campaign runs until 21 March because it is 49 days after her birthday.
“We have a large number of students that arrive here [at SU] with excellent marks, but really struggle during the course of their studies. Not for academic reasons, but for financial reasons,” said Baatjes.
Bursaries are, therefore, important as they create opportunities and offer “the financial aid to ensure that a person gets educated”, said Gerard Paris, head of Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans at SU.
“We all have an inherent need to do good,” said Baatjes. “I have a need to support the educational endeavours of students.”
“Every Tuesday here on campus at 17:00 I stand in front of the main entrance and then people join me,” said Prof Karin Baatjes, Stellenbosch University’s vice dean at the faculty of medicine and health sciences about her goal of running 49km to raise funds for student bursaries. PHOTO: Supplied/Kayla Lourens
Running engagement
Since Baatjes started her own initiative in January, various people have joined her on her runs.
“I cannot remember the last time I ran alone,” said Baatjes. Student participation has been low, though, she added.
Public figures, such as the law trust chair in social justice at SU, Prof Thuli Madonsela, have joined some of the runs, said Baatjes.
“It’s important to involve people like this because it draws attention, gathers media attention, and people like to come to things where they can meet other people and meet people of such stature,” said Spies.
The initiative is “making the general public aware of the need for fundraising for education and I think that is extremely important”, said Gerard Paris, head of Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
Bursaries At SU
“There is a big pool from which the university gathers their donations from for bursaries,” said Paris. He added that the bursary office, various faculties, the alumni office and private donors all contribute towards the bursaries made available to students at SU.
Despite these funding opportunities, the running campaign is a “good initiative of hers”, commented Paris.
The initiative is “making the general public aware of the need for fundraising for education and I think that is extremely important”, added Paris.
Prof Karin Baatjes, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) vice dean at the faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS), is running a campaign that will contribute funds towards the iThemba Bursary Fund at the FMHS, according to Felix Spies, FMHS fundraiser and partnership manager. PHOTO: Amy Cloete