Former names | University of the Cape of Good Hope |
---|---|
Motto | Pro Gentibus Sapientia(Latin) |
Motto in English | In the service of humanity |
Type | Public Distance education Mega University |
Established | 1873[1] |
Chancellor | Thabo Mbeki |
Vice-chancellor | Puleng LenkaBula |
Administrative staff | 6,218 (as of 2015) |
Students | 420,000 (as of 2019) [2] |
Location | , , 25°46′02″S28°11′58″E / 25.76722°S 28.19944°E |
Campus | Urban |
Colours | Maroon, Navy and White |
Nickname | UNISA |
Affiliations | |
Website | unisa.ac.za |
The University of South Africa (UNISA) [lower-alpha 1] is the largest university system in South Africa by enrollment. It attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa. Through various colleges and affiliates, UNISA has over 400,000 students, including international students from 130 countries worldwide, making it one of the world's mega universities and the only such university in Africa.
As a comprehensive university, Unisa offers both vocational and academic programmes, many of which have received international accreditation, as well as an extensive geographical footprint, giving their students recognition and employability in many countries the world over. The university lists many notable South Africans among its alumni, including two Nobel prize winners: Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. [3]
Founded in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, the University of South Africa (or Unisa as it is commonly known) spent most of its early history as an examining agency for Oxford and Cambridge universities and as an incubator from which most other universities in South Africa are descended. Legislation in 1916 established the autonomous University of South Africa (the same legislation established Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town as autonomous universities) as an "umbrella" or federal institution with its seat in Pretoria, playing an academic trusteeship role for several colleges that eventually became autonomous universities. [4] The colleges that were under UNISA's trusteeship were Grey University College (Bloemfontein), Huguenot University College (Wellington), Natal University College (Pietermaritzburg), Rhodes University College (Grahamstown), Transvaal University College (Pretoria), the South African School of Mines and Technology (Johannesburg), and Potchefstroom University College. [5] In 1959, with the passage of the Extension of University Education Act, UNISA's trusteeship also extended to the five "black universities", namely University of Zululand, University of the Western Cape, University of the North, University of Durban-Westville, and University of Fort Hare. [6] In 1946, UNISA was given a new role as a distance education university, and today it offers certificate, diploma and degree courses [7] up to doctoral level.
In January 2004, Unisa merged with Technikon Southern Africa (Technikon SA, a polytechnic) and incorporated the distance education component of Vista University (VUDEC). The combined institution retained the name University of South Africa. It is now organised by college and by school; see below.
Unisa's Muckleneuk Campus is located in Pretoria and is a major landmark of the capital city. It was in 1972 that Unisa moved into its new home on Muckleneuk Ridge having vacated the old quarters in central Pretoria. The complex of buildings was designed by Bryan Sandrock Architects in the 1960s and expresses an international style characterised by monumental proportions and engineering feats like the cantilevered structures. The most striking feature is the long projection from the brow of the hill, supported by a giant steel girder resting on a massive column.
Also in Pretoria is the Sunnyside campus, the main area of student activity. The Florida campus in Johannesburg is Unisa's science campus. The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and some departments of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology is housed here. The science campus contains 12 buildings, a library, two auditoriums and a large study area. It also includes a horticultural centre and a multipurpose research and training facility designed to meet the education and research needs of students in a range of programmes including agriculture, ornamental horticulture and nature conservation. [8]
The university has seven regional centres in South Africa, servicing students in all nine provinces. These are:
According to data extracted from the final audited Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) submissions to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Unisa had 355,240 students enrolled in 2013 from South Africa, Africa, and other international states. The largest portion of these students are South African, being 91.4% (324,607) of the sum of the student enrollments. The College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) is the largest of the eight colleges, with 26.7% (94,972) of the total student enrollments. [9]
According to the same HEMIS submission, Unisa had 5,575 staff members in 2013. The staff complement consisted of 3,261 females (55.7%) and 2,593 (44.3%) males. 2011 figures from the Department of Institutional Statistics and Analysis (DISA) at the university show that the majority of the staff employed are non-professional administrative staff, being 56.8% (3,164). The number of institutional/research professionals are 33.2% (1,846) of the sum of the staff employed.Therefore, it is imperative for editors to note unverified notes here,<now everyone is editing>
As one of the world's mega universities, Unisa presents academic offerings associated with both technological and traditional universities. These include, but are not limited to, a combination of career-orientated courses usually associated with a university of technology, and formative academic programmes typically linked to a traditional university.
In addition to the eight colleges and SBL, Unisa has numerous bureaus, centres, institutes, museums and units [10] supporting academic development and research.
The qualifications offered by the College of Science, Engineering and Technology for the field of engineering are intended for technician and technologist training rather than as the academic component for admission to the engineering profession. The programs are therefore aligned with Dublin (Technician) & Sydney (Technologist) Accords. [11] [12] [13] Graduates from the university in these programmes cannot register with the as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa. The university has introduced a Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours being a Level 8 qualification (on the National Qualification Framework). This is not recognized for admission as a Professional Engineer and is a bridging mechanism for further studies for technologists and technicians. [14]
South Africa has an extreme skills shortage in respect of engineering and allied vocations.
University rankings | |
---|---|
Global – Overall | |
ARWU World [15] | 901–1000 (2023) |
QS World [16] | 851–900 (2024) |
THE World [17] | 1001–1200 (2024) |
USNWR Global [18] | =821 (2023) |
In 2015, the University of South Africa was ranked the 6th best university in South Africa by the Times Higher Education. This makes the university the 6th best university in Africa, out of 30. [19]
UNISA Times Higher Education Ranking 2016 to 2024 | |
---|---|
Year | World Rank |
2024 | 1001–1200 |
2023 | 1001–1200 |
2022 | 801–1000 |
2021 | 1001+ |
2020 | 1001+ |
2019 | 1001+ |
2018 | 801–1000 |
2017 | 801+ |
2016 | 601-800 |
[20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] |
Unisa received a royal charter in 1877. It currently operates under the Statute of the University of South Africa issued in terms of the Higher Education Act (No. 101 of 1997), and is accredited by the South African Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Its qualifications (including those of the SBL) are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Unisa is inter alia listed in the following publications: International Handbook of Universities published by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and officially verified by the International Association of Universities.
In other cases the publication of an institution's name in specific authoritative publications forms the basis of accreditation. Students must however enquire from the specific foreign country/university whether Unisa's qualifications are accredited/recognised. [34]
Internationally, Unisa is listed in the Commonwealth Universities Handbook of 1999 and also in the International Handbook of Universities of 1998. It is actually listed as Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU 2018). [35] [36]
The qualifications offered by the College of Science, Engineering and Technology are also accredited internationally through the accreditation done by the Engineering Council of South Africa under the Dublin [13] and Sydney [12] Accords.
Students need a school-leaving qualification that would entitle them to enter a university or college in their own country. The majority of applications are now processed online., [37] you will need to meet the requirements for the course you are looking to study.
The university has introduced new rules on entrance requirements since 2014, this outright rejects TVET College graduates. Previously these students was allowed to complete bridge subjects and even Higher Certificates before going towards the Diploma and National Diploma. Even completing the National Senior Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 will not be accepted without further education. Universities South Africa argue the subjects from the school curriculum are more "significant in-depth" than the N3 subjects. [38] The university is therefore likely the only university with this rule. University of South Africa refers these students to consider other universities and colleges. [38]
Unisa has been promoting and promulgating culture in all its manifestations since its inception in 1873. Apart from the academic courses offered by Unisa's College of Humanities, practical language, art and music skills have been actively pursued through the setting of curricula and the implementation of special courses and examinations.
The Unisa Foundation was established in 1966 and now has approximately 280 active donors, many of them individual alumni with the desire to give back to the communities, South African and international, with a sense of social responsibility. Equally vital is the role played by the Board of Trustees, whose members not only oversee the affairs of the Unisa Foundation but who also lend the weight of their professional and personal reputations in a drive to reach potential donors, without financial reward to themselves.
Based at Unisa's main campus in Muckleneuck, Pretoria, the foundation has Fundraising and Development Divisions in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. These divisions support the smooth running of projects being undertaken in their regions while raising additional funding for local community projects.
Unisa Press is the largest university press in South Africa, with the biggest publication list.[ citation needed ] [40]
On 17 October 2021, a leaked ministerial report claimed that rampant corruption at Unisa undermines the quality of education, and highlighted the risk that the institution is becoming a "qualifications factory". [41] [42] The claim that Unisa was becoming a diploma mill due to mismanagement were being reviewed by Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology. On 19 October 2021, Unisa released a statement attempting to "correct" these claims. [43] [44]
The University boasts of being an institution that has given access to tertiary education to all people, irrespective of race or colour, particularly given South Africa’s history of apartheid. Its rich history includes a diverse mix of notable and famous alumni. This identity of UNISA has been its strongest and positive attraction that it is open, flexible and affordable thus serving the needs of the most disadvantaged communities. [45] [46] However, the University's anniversary year in 2023 is blemished by a range of controversies and a failure to live up to its mission and strategic goals as it celebrates its 150 years of existence. These controversies elicited the Human Rights Commission report, the Ministerial Task Team Report, and now this Independent Assessor report, all of which do not present a positive outlook for the University. [45] [47] According to the report, UNISA’s problems came to the fore around 2015, with reports of challenges in governance, management and the quality of higher education provision such as allegations of deterioration of governance, instability of the executive management; continued complaints regarding student administration issues; the under-spending of earmarked grants; poor throughput and success rates, and very high dropout numbers; specific concerns regarding the quality of teacher education provision; levels of support provided to students at the institution within the context of distance learning; and concerns around the enrollment planning processes. [45] [48]
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, commonly known as Wits University or Wits, is a multi-campus public research university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg, South Africa. The university has its roots in the mining industry, as do Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand in general. Founded in 1896 as the South African School of Mines in Kimberley, it is the third oldest South African university in continuous operation.
The University of South Australia (UniSA) is a public research university in the Australian state of South Australia. It is a founding member of the Australian Technology Network of universities, and is the largest university in South Australia with approximately 37,000 students.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1829 as the South African College, it was granted full university status in 1918, making it the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest university in Sub-Saharan Africa in continuous operation.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a university with five campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.
Stellenbosch University (SU) (Afrikaans: Universiteit Stellenbosch, Xhosa: iYunivesithi yaseStellenbosch) is a public research university situated in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Stellenbosch is the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest extant university in Sub-Saharan Africa, which received full university status in 1918. Stellenbosch University designed and manufactured Africa's first microsatellite, SUNSAT, launched in 1999.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The University of Johannesburg came into existence on 1 January 2005 as the result of a merger between the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Prior to the merger, the Daveyton and Soweto campuses of the former Vista University had been incorporated into RAU. As a result of the merger of Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), it is common for alumni to refer to the university as RAU. The vice-chancellor and principal of UJ is Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi who took office on 1 January 2023. Between 2018 and 2022, UJ's vice-chancellor and principal was Tshilidzi Marwala.
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private research deemed university located in Katpadi in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Tshwane University of Technology is a higher education institution in South Africa that came into being through a merger of three technikons — Technikon Northern Gauteng, Technikon North-West and Technikon Pretoria.
The University of the Free State is a multi-campus public university in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa. It was first established as an institution of higher learning in 1904 as a tertiary section of Grey College. It was declared an independent Afrikaans-language university in 1950 and the name was changed to the University of the Orange Free State. The university has two satellite campuses. Initially a whites-only precinct, the university was fully de-segregated in 1996. The first black university vice-chancellor was appointed in 2010.
Damelin is a private college founded in 1943 by Benjamin Damelin. It has 9 campuses in South Africa and is owned by Educor group. Damelin offers degrees, diplomas and other higher qualifications, but is considered a college instead of a university due to the regulations for tertiary institutions in South Africa. Damelin is the oldest and most profitable education subsidiary owned by Educor. By November 2012, over one million students had graduated from Damelin. In March 2024 it was deregistered for non-compliance along with other institutions under the Educor umbrella, CityVarsity, Intec and Lyceum College. The group has been accused by the Minister of Higher Education and Training of "unethical conduct, dysfunctional practices, bribery and other elements of corruption."
Shenzhen University (SZU) is a municipal public research university in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. The university is funded by the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government.
Universities South Africa, formerly known as Higher Education South Africa or HESA, is an umbrella body representative of the 26 public universities in South Africa. The USAF board is made up of 26 Vice-Chancellors drawn from member universities. USAf endorses a comprehensive and equitable national higher education system responsive to South Africa's challenges. Through lobbying and advocacy, USAf promotes and facilitates an optimal environment conducive for universities to function effectually and maximally contribute to the social, cultural, and economic advancement of South Africa and its people. These captains of academia were firmly committed to so called “digital transformation” during the pandemic.USAf has committed themselves to using data to offer “an optimal environment conducive for universities to function effectively” Their optimization extends into matters of transparency around remuneration and they too have committed to address the scourge of corruption in their respective university chambers. When it comes to the topic of transformation in Higher Education, the 26 members have not had much success. Neither has teaching and learning practice in South African higher education changed much under their watch.Short comings with governance and pedagogies failures, have not prevented USAf from proclaiming a "digital revolution" at their scheduled annual conference. Theme: "The future of the university".This a ahistorical meme, the change is neither industrial or revolutionary, yet espoused by many VCs in this organization, is at odds with scholarship about post-digitalPerhaps their greatest success this far is McDonaldizationof South African Higher education. With university branding, making themselves look appealing to prospective students and parents, instead of addressing actual student needs.
The University of Pretoria Faculty of Law was established in 1908. It consists of six academic departments, six centres, two law clinics and the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP). This faculty has Departments of Jurisprudence, Mercantile Law, Private Law, Procedural Law, Public Law and Centre for Human Rights. The faculty offers the undergraduate LLB degree, and postgraduate LLM/MPhil and LLD/PhD degrees.
The University of Pretoria is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa. The university was established in 1908 as the Pretoria campus of the Johannesburg-based Transvaal University College and is the fourth South African institution in continuous operation to be awarded university status. The university has grown from the original 32 students in a single late Victorian house to approximately 53,000 in 2019. The university was built on seven suburban campuses on 1,190 hectares.
Hierarchical lists that rank universities are regularly published by the popular press.These different tables attempt to fulfill a demand for information and transparency. However, rankings influence students' choices and distort higher education policies. List producers allow well remunerated vice-chancellors to claim a top spot for their university in an educational league. These ranking, the publishers claim, are determined by quantitative indicators. Published research suggests otherwise, rankings are re-shaping public education and harming the academic project. According to an Independent Expert Group (IEG), convened by the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health, Global university rankings are
The North-West University (NWU) is a public research university located on three campuses in Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark in South Africa. The university came into existence through the merger in 2004 of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, a large, historical university dating back to 1869, which also had a branch in Vanderbijlpark, and the University of North-West. With its merged status, the North-West University became one of the largest universities in South Africa with the third largest student population in the country. NWU ranks among top universities locally, in Africa and globally.
The CTI Education Group (CTI) was a registered, private higher education institution in South Africa. Full-time and part-time students can study within the fields of Information Technology, Psychology & Counselling, Creative Arts & Graphic Design, Commerce and Law on campuses spread throughout South Africa.
The University of Pretoria Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology educational programs stretch back to 1908 and consists of the School of Engineering, School for the Built Environment, School of Information Technology and the Graduate School of Technology Management. The university is the only African collaborator in the CDIO engineering initiative: Since 1997, the university as a whole has produced more research outputs every year than any other institution of higher learning in South Africa, as measured by the Department of Education's accreditation benchmark.