The Editor, Sir:

I write to correct certain allegations made in an article written by Gleaner writer Joseph Cunning-ham and published in the Gleaner of Wednesday, September 20 (page A3). The article infers that half of the UTech student population are unable to register owing to their inability to pay their university fees.

We are expecting to enrol approximately 8,000 students this year. As of the morning of September 20, 2006, we have registered 5,241 students. Another 1,000 students (summer students) will start registering before the end of the week upon receipt of their progress reports, which are now due for posting. The deadline for registration for this academic year is September 29, and we expect close to 100 per cent compliance this year.

Significant improvement

It is interesting to note that contrary to the impression given by Karl Wilkinson in the article, there is significant improvement in the registration process this year. At the end of September 2004 our registration number was 4,279. For the corresponding period last year the figure was 4,466. Today, even before the September 29 deadline, registration has already increased (over last year's deadline figures) by 17 per cent.

We are fully aware of the challenges some of our students are facing in paying their fees, and continue to remind them of the following support mechanisms:

1. Part-payment arrangements through the university's Finance and Business Service office.

2. Support available through our Financial Aid Office, including: (a) the university's Earn & Study Programme; (b) grants for needy students; (c) scholarships and bursaries.

3. Loans from the Students' Loan Bureau.

We encourage our students and their sponsors to be proactive in their approach to funding tertiary education and to discuss possibilities with relevant sponsor/support bodies, including the relevant offices at our university.

I am, etc.,

HECTOR WHEELER

Corporate Communications

Manager