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Privacy Policy

Introduction

Bridgewater Academic Institute (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

  • Personal Information: Name, date of birth, contact information, emergency contacts, and identification documents.
  • Academic Information: Academic records, transcripts, and test scores.
  • Financial Information: Payment information and financial aid applications.
  • Health Information: Health records, if applicable (e.g., for disability accommodations).
  • Special Personal Information: Information relating to race, ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, sexual orientation, sex life or health.   
How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

  • Academic Purposes: Processing applications, admissions, and enrolment.
  • Student Services: Providing academic advising, counselling, and other student support services.
  • Financial Aid Administration: Processing financial aid applications and disbursing funds.
  • Communication: Sending important notices, reminders, and updates.
  • Research: Conducting research and analysis to improve our programs and services.
  • Compliance with Legal Obligations: Complying with legal and regulatory requirements, including POPIA.
Information Sharing

We may share your personal information with:

  • Authorized Personnel: Employees and authorized agents who need access to your information to perform their duties.
  • Third-Party Service Providers: Third-party service providers who assist us in delivering our services, such as IT service providers, payment processors, and marketing firms.
  • Educational Institutions: Other educational institutions, if you transfer to another institution.
  • Government Agencies: Government agencies as required by law or regulation.
Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. We use industry-standard security practices to safeguard your data, including:   

  • Secure Data Storage: Storing personal information on secure servers with access controls.
  • Data Encryption: Encrypting sensitive data to protect it from unauthorized access.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conducting regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
  • Employee Training: Training employees on data protection and security best practices.
Your Rights

As a data subject, you have the following rights under POPIA:

  • Right of Access: The right to request access to your personal information.
  • Right to Correction: The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Right to Erasure: The right to request the erasure of your personal information.
  • Right to Object: The right to object to the processing of your personal information.
  • Right to Restriction of Processing: The right to restrict the processing of your personal information.
  • Right to Data Portability: The right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.   
Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer at: admin@bridgewateracademicinstitute.com

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting a notice on our website or by other means.
By providing your personal information, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.