IAPO Services

IAPO Services

UCT prides itself on its diverse student body, which reflects the many cultures and backgrounds of the region. The University is host to over 4,500 internationals from 104 different countries. Approximately 3,500 are international full degree (IFD) students and postdoctoral fellows (PDRFs). The majority of these come from Africa and in particular the SADC region. The following assistance, advice and support is offered:

·  Provides a central point for international full degree student e-mail, fax and telephonic enquiries and advises prospective international postgraduate and undergraduate students on UCT admissions and administrative procedures, placement, study options, opportunities for research etc

·  Provides pre-departure information and advice about UCT and Cape Town to students before their arrival in Cape Town.

·  Arranges the collection of new international students from Cape Town airport on arrival in South Africa.

·  Arranges vacation accommodation for new international students upon arrival in Cape Town.

·  Organises and runs a 3 day orientation programme for new international full degree undergraduate and postgraduate students.

·  Sources and maintains a housing database and assists students in obtaining temporary and long – term accommodation off – campus.

·  Offers daily face to face consultations with students on a wide range of issues including UCT systems and procedures, UCT culture, integration, and South Africa in general.

·  Throughout the year, maintains contact with and lobbies the Department of Home Affairs on behalf of students with pending permit applications, in cases of arrest, deportation and other immigration compliance related matters.

·  Assists with permit renewals and other advice pertaining to their immigration status in South Africa; provides letters and other supporting documentation for permit applications and is an authorised signatory for UCT Registrar on these letters.

·  Maintains contact with and liaises with South African embassy officials abroad on behalf of students experiencing issues with their study permit applications.

·  Participates in IAPO`s pre-registration of international full degree students and postdoctoral fellows to screen health insurance and study permits and ensure compliance with existing immigration legislation.

·  Throughout the year provides students with a wide range administrative support in providing letters of support to facilitate opening bank accounts, confirming registration verifying permission to work in South Africa, travel to international conferences, accompanying spouse’s applications etc.

·  Liaises with international student clubs and societies to promote the integration of international students at UCT and enhance the student experience on campus.

·  Maintains relations with all organs of student governance and leadership (the Department of Student Affairs and in particular the Students’ Representative Council and international student societies) on behalf of international students.

·  Co-ordinates over six student social events per annum that promotes international and local student’s integration and transformation.

·  Promotes international full degree student involvement in community development projects such as SHAWCO; facilitates the recruitment of students to the projects and co-ordinates trips to the centres and other community development organisation.

·  Regularly communicates with international students via newsletters, e-mail, mail outs, IAPO’s Facebook page and VULA on matters pertaining to them, e.g. crises in their home countries, immigration, UCT policies, and student integration events.

·  Maintains contact with UCT faculties and departments on international student matters such as complex individual matters, the implementation of processes and immigration matters.

·  With medical scheme provides arranges a monthly medical cover information desk for student with queries on their medical cover.

·  Facilitates meetings between UCT international students and country embassies.

·  Maintains links with and meets regularly representatives with embassies and donor organizations that fund international students at UCT.

·  Produces information booklets and maintains other information resources available to international full degree students and postdoctoral fellows in hard copy and on the web; disseminates to internal and external stakeholders, parents, international visitors other stakeholders.

·  Provides a 24 hour emergency call service for international full degree students.

·  Ensures that student matters relating to death and repatriation of mortal remains, disappearance, injury in accidents etc are speedily addressed in consultation with IAPO’s Director, the Department of Student Affairs and Communication and Marketing.

In addition IAPO offers a comprehensive range of services relating to fees administration including:

·  Administration of the US Federal Aid for full degree students at UCT

·  Processing of applications for students who apply to be affiliates to UCT

·  Arranging flights and subsistence for students who are granted exchange opportunities to other universities

·  Processing overseas refunds for students who are in credit on their fee accounts

·  Processing fee account payments to student fee accounts

·  Arranging payment societies and sports clubs for SSA students

·  Authorising credit refunds to students’ South African bank accounts

·  Processing fee clearances for IAPO pre-registration

·  Changing residency status for international students where applicable

·  Advising and counselling students regarding their fee accounts and how to manage it

·  Raising proforma invoices for students and sponsors

·  Liaison with overseas sponsors regarding the awardees