University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg, colloquially known as UJ, is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The University of Johannesburg was established on the 1st of 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.[12] 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.
Former names
Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit (Rand Afrikaans University) (1967–2004)
Service Through Knowledge
1 January 2005
1,276[6]
50,786[7]
41,628[8]
9,080[9]
Auckland Park Kingsway (APK)
Auckland Park Bunting Road (APB)
Doornfontein (DFC)
Soweto (SWC), 45,000 square metres (11 acres)[10]
Orange
Yellow
White
UJ
The institution is one of the largest comprehensive contact universities[12] in South Africa from the 26 public universities that make up the higher education system. UJ has a student population of over 50 000, of which more than 3000 are international students from 80 different countries.[13]
History[edit]
Early developments[edit]
British Colonialism, 1900s
During the Johannesburg gold rush, several training institutions were established to meet the skilled labor needs of the gold mines.[14] One such institution was the Witwatersrand Technical Institute, founded in 1903, with origins tracing back to the Kimberly School of Mines.[14] It later evolved into Technikon Witwatersrand in 1979, following the British educational model with English as the medium of instruction.[14] Admission policies were initially restricted to white students proficient in English. In 2006, the University of Johannesburg, which had already absorbed the operations of Technikon Witwatersrand, sold the institute's property.[14]
Independence, 1960s
It would take more than thirty years before complete independence of South Africa from Britain was achieved.[15] Following its election in 1948 the National Party sought to provide education in the Afrikaans language, the third most spoken mother tongue language in South Africa. This led to the foundation of Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) in 1966.[16] At the time of its founding, RAU was the second university to be established in Johannesburg and it was established through an act of parliament as the academic hub for Afrikaners.[16] After the fall of Apartheid in 1994, African students started to become more involved in previously white institutions of higher education.[17] RAU was no exception as for the first time in 1995, it had the largest number of African students in its ranks, followed by the University of the Witwatersrand, Rhodes University and the University of Cape Town.[17]
In 1982, Vista University admitted the first black students in designated urban black settlements across South Africa. It was established in Port Elizabeth.[18] It had seven satellite campuses throughout South African townships, making tertiary education accessible to most African people, and it had its first academic year in 1983.[18]
Recent history[edit]
It was envisioned that a modern university would spring from unification, and not separation, as it was enforced in the past. The University of Johannesburg, established on the 1st of January 2005, is the result of the incorporation of the East Rand and Soweto campuses of Vista University into the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU). The merger of the modified RAU and the Technikon Witwatersrand took place on the 1st of January 2005 thus creating the University of Johannesburg.
The integration of these institutions – with seemingly more differences that similarities, offers the University of Johannesburg a unique identity and character, which serves to bridge the chasms that previously divided South Africa. Indeed, no other university in South Africa truly represents the rainbow nation like University of Johannesburg.[12]
The incorporation and merger was part of a series of major programmes which restructured higher education in South Africa; a result of the National Plan for Higher Education (2001). Consequently, this meant there was a reduction from 36 universities and technikons to 22 higher education institutions. South Africa now has 11 traditional universities, five universities of technology and six comprehensive institutions.
Logo and brand identity
The University of Johannesburg distinguishes itself from its previous institutions as a new, adaptable and progressive institution. Early on it was decided that UJ did not want a coat of arms and motto, as are custom with other tertiary educational institutions in South Africa. The administration decided rather to opt for a logo and brand identity. An internal competition was held where current students could put forward their proposals. In the interim, the previous motto of the Rand Afrikaans University "Diens Deur Kennis" (Afrikaans for Service Through Knowledge) was maintained.[19]
The chosen logo embodies the University of Johannesburg's core values, such as cultural diversity, stature, global diversity, and academic excellence. Its imagery, colors, and textures reflect the character and landscape of Johannesburg, evoking a sense of liberty, unity, and renewed energy.[20]
Key elements of the logo include:
University rankings
501-600 (2023)
306 (2024)
401–500 (2024)
People[edit]
Students[edit]
UJ enrolled 41,628 undergraduates (~82%) and 9,080 postgraduate (~18%) students in 2018.[100]
Residence life
The Student Accommodation & Residence Life division is mainly responsible for the accommodation of approximately 19,000 students in both university owned and managed residences as well as off-campus accredited privately owned accommodation.
This is a vast division with 35 residences, including the seven day houses, spread over four campuses at the University of Johannesburg.
Off-campus accommodation's accredited properties are within 2 km of each campus and where they are beyond the prescribed radius; the set condition is that service providers are obliged to provide transport. Additionally, inter-campus transportation is provided for all students residing in off-campus residences and houses. The university offers to all students, a list of accredited off-campus accommodation.[101]
Notable events
Controversy
In 2011 the university decided to suspend ties with Israeli Ben-Gurion University, citing the university's support for the Israeli military. The decision was seen to affect projects in biotechnology and water purification.[105]
However, two days later, Ihron Rensburg, vice-chancellor and principal of the university issued a statement saying that "UJ is not part of an academic boycott of Israel...It has never been UJ's intention to sever all ties with BGU, although it may have been the intention of some UJ staff members."[106]