South African university merger update

I came across the South Africa Higher Education Restructuring and Transformation Guidelines. The next step is that by end of June 2003, the institutions that are to merge need to propose their new names.

The official list of public higher educations institutions that will exist after the mergers is as follows:

Universities

1. University of Cape Town
2. University of Durban-Westville/University of Natal
3. University of Fort Hare/Rhodes University East London Campus
4. University of the Free State/Qwa Qwa Campus of the University of the North/Vista University Bloemfontein Campus
5. University of the North-West/Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education/Vista University Sebokeng Campus (students and staff)
6. University of the North/Medical University of Southern Africa
7. University of Pretoria/Vista University Mamelodi Campus
8. Rhodes University
9. University of Stellenbosch
10. University of the Western Cape
11. University of the Witwatersrand

Technikons

1. Cape Technikon/Peninsula Technikon
2. Durban Institute of Technology/Mangosuthu Technikon/Umlazi Campus of the University of Zululand
3. Free State Technikon/Vista University Welkom Campus
4. Technikon Northern Gauteng/Technikon North-West/Technikon Pretoria
5. Vaal Triangle Technikon (incorporating the infrastructure and facilities of the Vista University Sebokeng Campus)

Comprehensive Institutions

1. Border Technikon/Eastern Cape Technikon/University of Transkei
2. Rand Afrikaans University/Technikon Witwatersrand/Vista University East Rand and Soweto Campuses
3. University of Port Elizabeth/Port Elizabeth Technikon/Vista University Port Elizabeth Campus
4. University of Zululand
5. University of South Africa/Technikon South Africa/Vista University Distance Education Campus
6. University of Venda

National Institutes for Higher Education

1. Mpumalanga Institute for Higher Education
2. Northern Cape Institute for Higher Education

 

Hey Oxpecker,

What is meant by "Comprehensive institutions"? I see my school, UZ, is listed under that category.

Thanks.

Roscoe

 

Comprehensive = conventional academic education PLUS vocational education (i.e. combination of what would traditionally have been university and technikon domains).

Note that the list excludes Technisa, which has been mentioned here occasionally. Technisa is considered a "further education" institution (non-degree granting), rather than a "higher education" institution.

 

One related issue that remains unresolved (in my mind, at least) is the proposed timeline for these mergers. One report I saw indicated that this may not occur for 6-8 years. That would be plenty of time for someone to be admitted, complete virtually any degree program and be graduated before these mergers actually occur. My primary interest here is in offering reliable information to those persons who have stated, "I'm going to wait until all this merger business settles down." They may be in for a long wait and they may be missing an opportunity that exists right now.
Any info about this timeline oxpecker?
Jack

 

Transformation of Institutions of Higher Learning Going Well - Asmal

In response to Jack's question: Second paragraph has comment about timing.

 

Roscoe,

Oxpecker states the answer to your question. If I recall UNIZUL has two campuses. The main one with the academic depts and another campus focussing on technology.

Good luck with your studies!!!!

North