The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) recently participated in the 3rd Eastern Cape Universities Postgraduate Funding Fair hosted at Rhodes University under the broader objective of strengthening access to postgraduate education and funding opportunities within the Eastern Cape region.
The Funding Fair brought together institutions including Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University, and University of Fort Hare, creating an important platform for engagement between postgraduate students, higher education institutions, and funding organisations.
Representing the NIHSS were Ms Hlanzekile Mbokazi, Ms Ayanda Zondi, Ms Ignatia Madalane, and Mr Tebogo Molaoa. The delegation engaged directly with prospective postgraduate students and university stakeholders on NIHSS funding opportunities, postgraduate support initiatives, and broader pathways within the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS).
The engagement formed part of the NIHSS’s continued commitment to supporting postgraduate development and expanding access to higher education opportunities, particularly within fields that contribute towards critical scholarship, societal development, and knowledge production. Funding remains one of the key barriers affecting postgraduate progression and completion across South Africa, making initiatives such as the Eastern Cape Universities Postgraduate Funding Fair important spaces for connecting students with academic and financial support opportunities.
Within the South African higher education context, postgraduate funding initiatives play an important role in strengthening research capacity, enabling access to advanced study opportunities, and supporting the development of future scholars, academics, and researchers. Such platforms are therefore not only funding awareness initiatives, but also contribute towards broader national conversations around transformation, equity, knowledge production, and the sustainability of the higher education sector.
Through exhibitions and direct engagements, students were afforded the opportunity to engage with the Institute on application processes, funding support, academic development opportunities, and the broader contribution of the Humanities and Social Sciences within society and the knowledge economy.
As part of the visit, the NIHSS delegation also engaged with current NIHSS-funded students and mentors based within the region. These engagements contributed towards strengthening institutional relationships, supporting ongoing monitoring efforts, and enhancing the visibility and impact of the Institute across the Eastern Cape higher education landscape.
The participation further reflects the NIHSS’s broader commitment to building inclusive postgraduate pathways, supporting emerging scholars, and strengthening the Humanities and Social Sciences through strategic institutional engagement and student-centred outreach initiatives.
