Humanities Staffer Gets Award for 20 Years’ Service in Student Funding

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Senior Financial Aid Advisor in the College of Humanities, Ms Constance Dube, received the prestigious Silver Award from the Department of Higher Education for 20 years of excellence in Student Funding.

Dube, who has been in student funding at UKZN since 1993, says she learned a great deal from her mentors ensuring the success of the Student Financial Aid Department.

‘To be able to serve students in one of the most challenging environments in the world is always demanding and never boring. To wake up each day with a sense of purpose and to know that I am making a difference and changing South Africa for the better is very satisfying,’ said Dube.

Some of the highlights of her career followed the University merger when she had the opportunity to manage student financial aid teams and be the Payment Officer on the Medical School, Edgewood, Howard College and Westville campuses.

In December 2011, Student Funding Advisors were devolved into the Colleges where she was employed as a Senior Advisor. ‘For Student Funding Advisors this was a big change as we did not know what the future held for us. There were challenges in the teething stage and some of them have been resolved.

‘As the Senior Advisor in the College of Humanities, it is not an easy task as we are all aware that our College has the largest number of Schools and the majority of students.’

Dube manages student funding teams on three campuses, providing support in terms of Student Funding Operations and making sure that all the resources are available i.e. staffing and office equipment.

Dube and her team are responsible for student queries regarding funding opportunities for the College and also deal with NSFAS Bursaries such as Ziphakamise and the Social Development (Social Work) Disability Funding for physically challenged students.

‘My office is always inundated with queries about bursaries, scholarships, loans, and sponsorships.’

Dube secured Social Work Scholarships for 33 students who were first time applicants in 2014 and were in Group 2, where some students have still not received funding.   She believes her ability to build and maintain good working relationship within the University community and externally resulted in this.

Dube also received an award from the UKZN Disability Unity for participating in the Disability Awareness Day. ‘I was not expecting any award. My intention was to show physically challenged students they are all accepted and treated equally by Student Funding Advisors, and the University community at large.’

What is her ‘secret to success’ in student funding? ‘Hard work and honesty, keeping relationships with colleagues strong so that the team succeeds, never stop learning and use every opportunity to advance your skills and  training,’ said Dube.

Sharing her plans for the future, Dube said: ‘Although we are working under tremendous pressure, I managed to complete my Social Science Degree, Post Graduate Diploma in Personal Management and Post Graduate Diploma Industrial Relations. So this year I intend to complete my Masters in Commerce through the UKZN Graduate School of Business.’

Dube thanked her colleagues in Student Funding who have supported her in her work and success at the College. ‘At the end of the day I am pleased if a student says: “Thank you, Ms Dube”, because then I know that I have made a difference in their life.’

Melissa Mungroo