The University of Fort Hare yesterday welcomed a court ruling which will allow the resumption of the construction of a 2046-bed residential complex.
It would‚ the institution said in a statement‚ “help address the major accommodation shortage at the university”.
“Fort Hare’s lack of accommodation continues to be one of its biggest challenges‚ with university-owned residences only able to accommodate 34% of its student population.”
In April‚ the Daily Dispatch reported that scores of students held a “sleep-in” protest over four-to-a-room overcrowding at residences despite paying R26000 a year for accommodation.
A month earlier‚ the contractor working on the R400-million construction of 17 residences at the university had to abide with a court order effectively stopping it from proceeding.
African Student Accommodation Group (Asag) and Isondlo Investments (Asag/Isondlo) agreed to a court order in terms of which the tender in respect of the remaining three phases of residences should be set aside and the university ordered to appoint a panel of three independent consultants to re-adjudicate this part of the tender.
In reaching this agreement‚ Asag/Isondlo averted an attempt by failed bidder Equicent to have the entire tender reviewed and set aside by the court. Equicent had alleged the university had been secretive‚ irregular‚ unfair‚ unlawful and unreasonable on every level in awarding the tender.
Yesterday‚ Fort Hare said it “welcomes the decision of the independent adjudication panel” and had “drawn lessons” from the court challenge. “The ruling paves the way for this project to be speedily undertaken in order to recover the lost time and deliver the necessary student beds required by our students‚” vice chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom said.
“With the latest news‚ we trust that the first 250 student beds shall be readily available for occupation by students next year,” Tom said.
Asag/Isondlo’s John Schooling said: “We need to create the right conditions for academic success and that starts with providing good accommodation‚ if we get this right‚ then we’ve created an environment where students will thrive.”
“Residences play a vital role; they create a sense of community‚ a place of belonging and an environment for transformation and integration.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
UFH residences project back on track after ruling
It would‚ the institution said in a statement‚ “help address the major accommodation shortage at the university”.
“Fort Hare’s lack of accommodation continues to be one of its biggest challenges‚ with university-owned residences only able to accommodate 34% of its student population.”
In April‚ the Daily Dispatch reported that scores of students held a “sleep-in” protest over four-to-a-room overcrowding at residences despite paying R26000 a year for accommodation.
A month earlier‚ the contractor working on the R400-million construction of 17 residences at the university had to abide with a court order effectively stopping it from proceeding.
African Student Accommodation Group (Asag) and Isondlo Investments (Asag/Isondlo) agreed to a court order in terms of which the tender in respect of the remaining three phases of residences should be set aside and the university ordered to appoint a panel of three independent consultants to re-adjudicate this part of the tender.
In reaching this agreement‚ Asag/Isondlo averted an attempt by failed bidder Equicent to have the entire tender reviewed and set aside by the court. Equicent had alleged the university had been secretive‚ irregular‚ unfair‚ unlawful and unreasonable on every level in awarding the tender.
Yesterday‚ Fort Hare said it “welcomes the decision of the independent adjudication panel” and had “drawn lessons” from the court challenge. “The ruling paves the way for this project to be speedily undertaken in order to recover the lost time and deliver the necessary student beds required by our students‚” vice chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom said.
“With the latest news‚ we trust that the first 250 student beds shall be readily available for occupation by students next year,” Tom said.
Asag/Isondlo’s John Schooling said: “We need to create the right conditions for academic success and that starts with providing good accommodation‚ if we get this right‚ then we’ve created an environment where students will thrive.”
“Residences play a vital role; they create a sense of community‚ a place of belonging and an environment for transformation and integration.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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