JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (Aspen), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in South Africa, has donated 600 internet-enabled electronic devices valued at R2.4 million to support students from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP).

Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Pharmacare Senior Executive: Strategic Trade said, “Aspen is humbled to serve South Africa in its time of need, as we work together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.  The provision of these devices to students not only helps to ensure that they have continued access to online education, but also limits their need for travel.  This donation will help curb the transmission-risk of the virus as the new academic semester begins, allowing students to undertake their studies remotely. We are deeply committed to supporting the sectors and communities in which we operate, both during the current crisis, and in the longer term, as we assist to create sustainable communities in South Africa.”

Professor Robin Green, UP Chairperson of the School of Medicine said, “While the COVID-19 crisis has created a world of hurt and sadness, it has also allowed the kindness and generosity of the world to shine. We appreciate the generous donation that Aspen has made to the Faculty to assist students with distance learning and to enable them to continue with the 2020 academic year.”

Following a rigorous screening process by the UP, the devices were earmarked for selected registered Faculty of Health Sciences students who attend classes regularly and who are unable to purchase the device for themselves. The tablets were handed over under strictly controlled hygiene and safety protocols, ahead of the commencement of remote lectures and training that resumed on 4 May 2020.

Nicolaou added that this donation is in line with the country’s ambitions of harnessing digital innovation to benefit disadvantaged students, during these difficult times and into the future.

“The donation of equipment further complements the University of Pretoria’s efforts to ensure that students from medicine and the other health science disciplines are able to continue with their curriculum and to minimise disruptions to the academic year,” said Nicolaou.