Cornerstone Institute has officially secured seven founding partners for the first phase of its Give Back 100 campaign. This national bursary initiative is designed to expand access to higher education for those previously excluded while strengthening the critical link between academic study and the workplace.
The Give Back 100 bursary programme represents a minimum investment of R3 million in tuition support for deserving students.
The founding partners who have partnered with the initiative represent a deliberate cross-section of South African corporate, government, and NGO sectors:
Media24
Cipla Medpro South Africa
Telemedia
Merchants SA
Novus Media and Novus Print
Yebo Institute (in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency and the Western Cape Government Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport)
Little Lions
Together, these partners have enabled 42 employed students to commence their studies under this unique model. While more than half of the students are based in the Western Cape, the remainder are spread across South Africa.
Unlike conventional bursary programs, Give Back 100 campaign operates as an employer-aligned access model. Each partner has entered into a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cornerstone Institute. Under this agreement, employers provide:
Necessary hardware (laptops) and connectivity (Wi-Fi or data)
Protected study time
Internal mentoring to support the student’s journey
Engagement regarding the integration of assessments into work roles
In return, Cornerstone Institute covers full tuition, provides academic and technical support, and offers detailed progress reporting to the employers.
The majority of students are enrolled in the Higher Certificate in Business Studies (HCBS), an NQF Level 5 qualification. Designed for team leaders or high-potential employees, the curriculum covers business fundamentals, 21st-century skills, and digital/AI literacy through workplace-relevant projects.
Crucially, the HCBS serves as a stepping stone; successful students can complete two short bridging courses to scaffold directly into the second year of a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree at Cornerstone.
The design draws inspiration from the German dual system, integrating industry and education. The effectiveness of this model was demonstrated in a pilot with the Beier Group in KwaZulu-Natal, which achieved an 80% retention rate and an 83% pass rate.
Speaking on behalf of one of the newly joined partners, Telemedia, CEO Patrick Conroy said: “For us, this is about structured investment in our people. We are not simply funding study. We are creating conditions where learning is supported, monitored, and linked to real work. That alignment matters, both for the employee and for the business.”
Cornerstone has committed to 100 bursaries for the 2026 academic year. With the first phase concluded, 50 bursaries remain available. The institution is open to engaging a limited number of additional organizational partners.
A final call for individual bursary applicants will take place during the first two weeks of May 2026.
Ends.
Media Enquiries:
Anneke Burns
Public Relations
071 423 0079
anneke@abpr.co.za
About Cornerstone Institute:
Cornerstone Institute is a private, not‑for‑profit higher education institution based in Cape Town. Rooted in social justice and human dignity, Cornerstone offers accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aimed at widening access and developing critical skills for South Africa’s future.
To learn more, visit: https://cornerstone.ac.za/