The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande takes on the responsibility of establishing new universities in the country.
Nzimande says that the cost of developing a new university is very high and requires the approval of Cabinet as well as securing funds through the National Treasury.
According to the Minister, South Africa currently has competing needs and given fiscal constraints, funding for new universities is limited and will require feasibility studies in order to determine the probabilities of establishing new higher education institutions in the future.
Focus will be placed specifically on establishing new universities in remote areas to limit the influx and movement of students into cities.
Nzimande stated that Cabinet approved the establishment of two new universities in the Gauteng province, one in Ekurhuleni and one in Hammanskraal.
There are currently feasibility studies which are underway to determine the size and shape of these universities.
A similar process takes place for the establishment of Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TVET) colleges and the Department of Higher Education is currently in the process of implementing new infrastructure for 11 TVET Colleges.
However, the Minister says there are currently no funds to establish new TVET Colleges.
