During a visit here to meet customers and partners, Xerox (NYSE: XRX) President Ursula M Burns presented a grant totalling R1 million to the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The grant was made in a private meeting with Unisa and UJ chief administrators.
Xerox's South Africa partner, Bytes Document Solutions, a company in the Bytes Technology Group and wholly owned by JSE-listed Altron, has an established record of supporting education in the country. Most recently, Bytes Document Solutions has made grants totalling in excess of R1 million to the University of Free State, Nelson Mandela University and Unisa. Bytes Document Solutions is Xerox's sole distributor in 24 African countries.
“We expect that more and more university graduates will become part of the growing ranks of knowledge workers in South Africa,” said Burns. “Our support will encourage them to contribute to the success of businesses and to the country as a whole.”
Xerox enjoys a history of assisting educational initiatives. Burns is a member of the boards of directors of educational organisations such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the National Academy Foundation (NAF) and First, whose initials stand for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”. Both NAF and First promote science, math and technology education in US secondary schools.
“Our partnership with Bytes Document Solutions is based on more than the good business we do together - it's also based on shared values,” Burns said.
“Education is vital for the future of South Africa,” said Rob Abraham, managing director of Bytes Document Solutions. “For this reason we are passionate supporters of educational institutions. We know the impact of a contribution in this area will be felt for years to come. In addition, it helps offset the skills shortage which is challenging our development as a country.”
N Barney Pityana, vice-chancellor and principal of Unisa, and Ihron Rensburg, vice-chancellor and principal of UJ, received the gifts on behalf of their respective institutions. The donations of R500 000 to each university will take the form of student bursaries aiming to benefit students who would otherwise be financially unable to pursue their studies.
During her first visit to South Africa, Burns met with existing and potential customers, spoke at two industry-related events, and conducted an open discussion with staff and partners from Bytes Document Solutions, Bytes Technology Group and Altron.
“Ursula's visit underscores Xerox's commitment to the development of South Africa and the African continent, which is of great importance to business in South Africa,” added Abraham.
Bytes Document Solutions has worked closely with many of South Africa's leading universities to reduce their running costs. It has done this through printer consolidation programmes and engaging with university management to identify areas for productivity enhancement, process redesign, outsource engagements and cost savings.
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