Johannesburg - Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training in Zimbabwe, Lutho Tapela, has expressed his appreciation to the South African government for accommodating foreign students, especially those from his country where there is limited access to higher education.
Tapela was speaking at the extra-ordinary meeting of SADC Ministers of Higher Education and Training on Tuesday.
South African Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Hlengiwe Mkhize, said the integration of foreign students in local institutions would boost the number of people with skills.
"If we could share countries of excellence, our students also will benefit. Apart from educational benefits to the students involved, such arrangements could also contribute to strengthening the ties between our countries," Mkhize explained.
In 2010, there were 66 113 foreign students in South African universities, of which 70% (46 200 students) were from SADC countries.
In line with the SADC Protocol on Education ad Training, students from SADC countries pay the same fees as South African students for tuition and accommodation - this means they are subsidised by the South African government.
South Africa's investment on foreign students in 2010 amounted to R1 041 168 000 for students from the SADC region, for non-SADC students it amounted to R735 761 000 and for all foreign students to R1.78 billion.
Mkhize emphasised that government did not discriminate and that all students benefitted from the subsidy.
"A student is a student and once he or she is in our institution, the government is responsible for them."
Mkhize said as pressure increased for the country to expand university access for South African students, the option of expanding opportunities for some of them to study in other SADC countries must also be looked at.
