There’s Help When You Need It

I HAVE been a Unisa student since 2000.Obviously the first registration is rather difficult but there are centres, e.g.at Unam, where one can get help.

I was lucky enough to live in Cape Town at the time of my first registration and got all the help I needed there. When I moved back to Namibia in 2001, there was no such help.The organisation that offered to help with the registration and accept payment on behalf of Unisa was fraudulent and stole quite a bit of money.Unisa then sent a representative to sort out any problems and I was given full credit for all funds paid.I just had to produce my receipt.They were very efficient and helpful.Due to this incident I do not really trust another organisation to handle my registration and payments anymore.I found the Unisa Students Online (SOL) website very useful.Through this website it is possible to complete your full registration.They supply you with a student number, guide you through your registration form and supply you with a quote (which even states the minimum payment required and by when it needs to be paid).Credit card payments are the easiest, but direct deposits though a bank, e.g.Nedbank, can also be done for a certain fee.Then you just have to e-mail or fax your deposit slip, which might delay the registration process.Once you are registered as a SOL user, you have access to a lot of other useful information.I can see what subjects I am registered for, download my study material, see when my assignments are due, submit them and see if Unisa has received them.I can also see if Unisa has received my payment and what my account balance is.They even send me my exam results if I select that option.Through the Unisa website (www.unisa.ac.za) it is also possible to download all relevant ‘Calendars’, i.e.all information booklets Unisa normally sends me via post.Unisa has also started sending my study material via courier services.Of course it takes time for them to get the registration through, pack the material and send it off.But once that is sorted out, I receive my material within one or two days.I have also tried phoning the Call Centre and it is difficult to get through.That is why I only phone if it is really urgent.Otherwise I contact Unisa via e-mail, which works quite well but takes a few days.All contact addresses can be found on the Unisa website.I can only recommend studying at Unisa.It takes time and dedication and may be frustrating at times, but in the end it is worth it.At least I know I will have an internationally recognised degree to show for it! Andrea WindhoekWhen I moved back to Namibia in 2001, there was no such help.The organisation that offered to help with the registration and accept payment on behalf of Unisa was fraudulent and stole quite a bit of money.Unisa then sent a representative to sort out any problems and I was given full credit for all funds paid.I just had to produce my receipt.They were very efficient and helpful.Due to this incident I do not really trust another organisation to handle my registration and payments anymore.I found the Unisa Students Online (SOL) website very useful.Through this website it is possible to complete your full registration.They supply you with a student number, guide you through your registration form and supply you with a quote (which even states the minimum payment required and by when it needs to be paid).Credit card payments are the easiest, but direct deposits though a bank, e.g.Nedbank, can also be done for a certain fee.Then you just have to e-mail or fax your deposit slip, which might delay the registration process.Once you are registered as a SOL user, you have access to a lot of other useful information.I can see what subjects I am registered for, download my study material, see when my assignments are due, submit them and see if Unisa has received them.I can also see if Unisa has received my payment and what my account balance is.They even send me my exam results if I select that option.Through the Unisa website (www.unisa.ac.za) it is also possible to download all relevant ‘Calendars’, i.e.all information booklets Unisa normally sends me via post.Unisa has also started sending my study material via courier services.Of course it takes time for them to get the registration through, pack the material and send it off.But once that is sorted out, I receive my material within one or two days.I have also tried phoning the Call Centre and it is difficult to get through.That is why I only phone if it is really urgent.Otherwise I contact Unisa via e-mail, which works quite well but takes a few days.All contact addresses can be found on the Unisa website.I can only recommend studying at Unisa.It takes time and dedication and may be frustrating at times, but in the end it is worth it.At least I know I will have an internationally recognised degree to show for it! Andrea Windhoek