Thohoyandou — Students who want to attend university have been urged to register online to avoid long queues and possible stampedes.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana made the appeal on Tuesday during a visit to the University of Venda (Univen) as part of the ministry's Apply Now campaign.

"We are pleased with what we observed here at the University of Venda during the registration process which began this week, especially the online registration as it is fast and reduces stampede and long queues. Univen has shown us a great capacity in dealing with the registration of students," said Manana.

Manana said the department learnt its lessons when a mother was trampled to death while queuing on behalf of her child the University of Johannesburg last year.

"I personally spoke to various students registering this year at the University of Venda; they said they are happy with the registration process. We will consider University of Venda with more funds to build infrastructure programme because they have shown they are using money wisely," he said.

Manana announced R341 million to fund the infrastructure programme.

Univen Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Peter Mbati, welcomed the extra funding.

"We find that most of our students are staying outside the campus, and the money we were funded with will be used for building infrastructure such as building new hostels to accommodate students," said Mbati.

Univen currently accommodates 11 000 students.