The University Of Zululand

The University Of Zululand, The University of Zululand is located within the Umhlathuze Municipality, the fastest growing industrial hub and employer in northern KwaZulu-Natal. UNIZULU is the only university north of the Uthukela River and can be easily found 1.4km south east of the R102 when travelling from Durban or by using the GPS co-ordinates: -28.8536,31.84938999999997.

Academic

The University of Zululand is a comprehensive university offering approximately 252 accredited degrees, diploma and certificate courses across the faculties of Arts; Education; Science and Agriculture as well as Commerce, Administration and Law at the KwaDlangezwa and Richards Bay campuses. Popular courses include Law, Education, Nursing Science, Agronomy, Hydrology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Sport Science. UNIZULU students have the opportunity to specialise their degrees according to their areas of interest within their respective fields. In addition, the University believes in promoting a culture of learning in an environment that is conducive to personal growth and academic development. To further academic development, assistance is provided through the provision of augmented and foundation courses to unleash students’ potential.

Campuses

Developed in 1960, the KwaDlangezwa Campus is UNIZULU’s main campus and is home to the University’s four faculties and academic support departments.The urban Richards Bay Campus was completed in 2009 and is intended to further the University’s entrepreneurial and vocational agenda in conjunction with local industry partnerships and the maritime sector. Courses currently being delivered at the campus include Public Relations, Transport Management and Hospitality Management.

UNIZULU Science Centre

UNIZULU’s internationally acclaimed Science Centre celebrates its 31st Anniversary in 2017 along with the launch of its Early Childhood Development Museum, a first for Africa. Located at the UNIZULU Richards Bay Campus, the UNIZULU Science Centre (USC) has received numerous accolades for promoting interest in Science, Engineering and Technology and is home to more than 130 innovative exhibits produced locally and abroad.  The Centre forms part of the University’s community outreach initiative that is focused on developing inquiring minds.

The USC is aimed at Science educators and learners in KwaZulu-Natal schools surrounding the University of Zululand. The focal area stretches roughly from the Tugela River in the South, to Kosi Bay in the North, and inland as far as Nongoma. The educational regions covered have been identified in many surveys and studies as the most disadvantaged in the province and amongst the most disadvantaged nationally.

History

The University of Zululand was first established in 1960 as the University College of Zululand with only 41 students, 75 percent male and 25 percent female. As a constituent college affiliated to the University of South Africa, it initially catered mainly for the Zulu and Swazi groups

In 1970 the college was granted University status. Since then the University has continued to expand and has experienced an increased intake of students from other parts of Africa, especially from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

In 1982 the University of Zululand Foundation, administered by a board of Governors, was established to administer the University’s fundraising and investment operations.

In 1984 the University Council was granted autonomy with regard to practically all matters relating to the disbursement of the annual subsidy, provision of facilities and the employment of staff.

In 2002 this rural-based institution was declared a comprehensive institution offering both traditional degrees and career-focused programmes. In 2005 the former six Faculties (Arts; Education; Science & Agriculture; Law, Commerce & Administration); merged to become four Faculties, namely Arts; Commerce, Administration & Law; Education; and Science & Agriculture.

In 2006 the existing Information Technology infrastructure was replaced by a R32,9 million state-of-the art system. And the building of the new student residences for occupancy in 2008 commences.