The university said the students had completed registration and paid their first tuition fee installment.

UJ Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Services, Mpho Letlape, said the number of registered students indicates that the university’s online-only registration system was working properly.

Letlape said that more than 5,000 postgraduate students and 1,700 international students were part of the group that had registered.

“This is a very clear indication that the vast majority of the university’s students and community want the 2016 academic year to get under way smoothly, on time and without disruptions,” said Letlape, adding that the institution was implementing measures to assist first-year students to adapt to their new learning environment.

“During their first year, UJ students are assisted by third or fourth-year students, who do well academically. The student advisors also assist first-year students living in UJ residences.”

Smooth operations at the university come after hundreds of students joined the nationwide #FeesMustFall movement in January to protest against the payment of registration.

Letlape said students who have not yet registered have until Friday to register online.

ANA