Deputy Speaker, the planning process for the development of the central application service is well under way. However, due to the conflict in acronyms, there was a need to rethink the naming. The Career Advice Service, a Department of Higher Education and Training project being developed in partnership with our implementing agency, the SA Qualifications Authority, Saqa, has used the acronym, Cas. Therefore, the name that will be used henceforth is the National Information and Application System, Nias.
The first phase of Nias will be implemented for learners intending to enter universities in 2013. This will be done through the introduction of a clearing house. Applications for 2013 will still occur through individual institutions, with the exception of KwaZulu-Natal, where the Central Applications Office is up and running. However, a new clearing house service will be put in place to assist the process from national level.
In terms of timelines, it is envisaged that the Nias IT system, which will be developed from October 2012 to June 2013, will be piloted in 2013 at selected institutions. This will benefit the 2014 intake at these institutions. Once the IT systems have been piloted and tested, the full implementation across all 23 universities will be phased in. It is therefore envisaged that the full implementation will begin in 2014 for the 2015 intake.
In the interim, while we are waiting for the full introduction of the National Information and Application Service, let me highlight that I have been leading the very progressive Apply Now campaign. Its main objective is to promote the message that matric learners should apply early for their post-school learning, thereby ensuring that there is sufficient time to look for alternatives should the first application be unsuccessful. The campaign is also meant to reduce the queues that have proven to be fatal at our universities. So, this campaign is indeed the genesis of the progressive introduction of the central application system. I hope I have answered the question. Thank you very much. [Applause.]