Student Support
Various support structures are available to current students in the School. The list below provides details for accessing these channels.
MIA Reconnect
Find all current student information on the MIA Reconnect site. Current students without access should email Michael.Boer@wits.c.za
Counselling and Careers Development Unit
The Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) offers a wide variety of services for students:
Prospectus: CLTD Prospectus 2022(new version)-1.pdf Download CLTD Prospectus 2022(new version)-1.pdf
1) Personal Counselling (/ccdu/personal-counselling-/)
Student who require counselling and career assistance are requested to contact CCDU via email at info.ccdu@wits.ac.za or via telephone on 0117179140. A relevant staff member will respond during regular office hours.
For emergency telephonic counselling, please contact the Wits student Crisis Line on 0800 111 331 toll free 24/7/365. Wits Students are also encouraged to use the Wits Student Crisis Texting App. The Wits Student Crisis Texting App offers students:
- Live chat counselling via the ICAS-Wits App
- Free 24/7 support from anywhere in South Africa with network coverage
- Real time crisis counselling and support through live chats and confidential sessions, from your smartphone.
How to access the Wits Student Crisis Texting App:
- Search for ICAS On-the-Go on the Google Play Store or the Apple Store
- Fill in the form to register, your company code is: WIT001
- Once registered, you can sign in to access the app and proceed as prompted
2) Life Coaching (/ccdu/life-coaching/)
Life Coaching at the Counselling & Careers Development Unit aims to inspire, motivate and empower Wits Students to attain their fullest potential.
This service focuses on motivation, time management, goal setting, and finding purpose and meaning.
3) Study Methods (/ccdu/study-skills/)
This page includes useful strategies and guidelines for coping with online studying.
Campus Health and Wellness Centre
The Campus Health and Wellness Centre is available to assist with primary healthcare and mental health enquires:
- Primary healthcare enquiries – Call 0743077259 or 0824832251
- Mental health enquiries – Call 0766093924
Academic Development Unit
The Wits Academic Development Unit can be contacted at aid.adu@wits.ac.za for any queries relating to online learning.
The ADU is there to help students who feel that they are in danger of jeopardizing their studies by struggling in one or two subjects. The ADU can assist with extra tutorials in those subjects you need help with. Contact them as soon as you experience problems.
Disability Rights Unit
In addition to working towards the goal of creating an accessible and welcoming environment for all students with disabilities, the Disability Rights Unit also handles extra time applications (/disability-rights-unit/contact-us/).
Transformation
The School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering Transformation Committee works to ensure that its students’ experience is characterised by a culture of human rights and inclusivity.
Anyone who experiences any form of discrimination within the School may report their complaint to Prof. C Polese or to Ms C Smith at the Wits Transformation and Employment Equity Office. Discrimination may include, but is not limited to racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism or classism.
All reports of discrimination are treated confidentially.
Chair of the School Transformation Committee:
Prof. Claudia Polese
Email: Claudia.Polese@wits.ac.za
Gender Equity Office
The Gender Equity Office (GEO) offers the following services (free of charge to all staff and students of the University):
- Collects and tracks all GBH-related complaints across the university and analyses trends to inform and improve intervention initiatives;
- Provides a safe and confidential space with full-time counselling support to complainants and victims of GBH;
- Confidentially advises complainants and victims of GBH of their options;
- Oversees an independent disciplinary procedure for formal complaints against staff or students accused of GBH;
- Engages actively in advocacy around gender equality.
The Gender Equity Office (GEO) contact details can be found here: /students/geo/contact-us/.
Protection Services
The Protection Services Division is responsible for the prevention of crime, the detection and apprehension of offenders, the reservation of peace and the protection of students, staff and University property.