The Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment has established a Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship Fund to assist postgraduate students with their studies.

The fund was started by a contribution from alumnus Dr Ntokozo Mthembu whose own studies were supported by bursaries and scholarships.

"As far as I can remember, dating back to as far as Std 8, I have always been blessed and privileged to be supported by bursaries and scholarships," he said.

Mthembu did his PhD in engineering management at UCT and went on to study in the United States and in Europe.

"My parents and I never paid a cent for such a prestigious and expensive education," said Mthembu. "Naturally, someone out there paid and it is, therefore, logical for me to have the burning desire to plough back into the institutions that supported me."

EBE dean Professor Cyril O'Connor praised Mthembu's initiative, saying it is the first strong indication of an amazing philanthropic culture.