Prof. Magoha further noted that the Placement Service applied affirmative action criteria for applicants living with disabilities, those from marginalised regions and for gender.

“331 applicants with disabilities have been given their top priority courses for which they met the minimum admission requirements,” he said, adding that specific programmes cut-off points were lowered by two for applicants from marginalised regions, and 1,638 benefited.

A similar concession benefited 679 applicants under Gender Affirmative Action (624 female, 55 male).

The total number of applicants who have benefited from Affirmative Action are therefore 2,648.

Out of the 122,831 applicants placed to degree courses; 66,661 (54.27%) will join Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes.

The Education CS reiterated that STEM courses are critical for producing skilled workforce required for the attainment of the “Big Four” Agenda.

The remaining 56,170 (45.73%) have been placed to Arts and Humanities.

Of the applicants placed to STEM, 42,267 (63.41%) are male while 24,394 (36.59%) are female.

Some degree programmes in some universities did not attract applicants.

Universities and colleges have been asked to contact their respective students and give them joining instructions and fast-tract the start of their academic journey given that most universities have continued with online learning during this era of COVID-19 restrictions.

Prof. Magoha further noted that the Placement Service applied affirmative action criteria for applicants living with disabilities, those from marginalised regions and for gender.

“331 applicants with disabilities have been given their top priority courses for which they met the minimum admission requirements,” he said, adding that specific programmes cut-off points were lowered by two for applicants from marginalised regions, and 1,638 benefited.

A similar concession benefited 679 applicants under Gender Affirmative Action (624 female, 55 male).

The total number of applicants who have benefited from Affirmative Action are therefore 2,648.

Out of the 122,831 applicants placed to degree courses; 66,661 (54.27%) will join Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes.

The Education CS reiterated that STEM courses are critical for producing skilled workforce required for the attainment of the “Big Four” Agenda.

The remaining 56,170 (45.73%) have been placed to Arts and Humanities.

Of the applicants placed to STEM, 42,267 (63.41%) are male while 24,394 (36.59%) are female.

Some degree programmes in some universities did not attract applicants.

Universities and colleges have been asked to contact their respective students and give them joining instructions and fast-tract the start of their academic journey given that most universities have continued with online learning during this era of COVID-19 restrictions.