University of Zululand

The University of Zululand or UniZulu is a comprehensive tertiary educational institution north of uThukela River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The university has established partnerships with other universities in the United States and Europe; such as the University of Mississippi, Radford University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Chicago State University. UniZulu was founded with the help of the Prince of KwaPhindangene, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who was also chancellor of the institution when it was established in 1960.

History

1960: The University College of Zululand was established as a constituent college academically affiliated to the University of South Africa. The very first class of 41 students included five females. Professor PAW Cook was appointed as the first rector.

1961: The university was officially opened on 8 March at a ceremony attended by 280 dignitaries, including tribal chiefs as well as diplomats from Switzerland, Brazil and Austria.

1963: The first graduation ceremony took place.

1964: Prof JA Maré was appointed as the second rector.

1970: University status was granted to the University College of Zululand.

1971: Dr TF Muller was appointed as the first Chancellor. The university’s coat of arms was officially introduced.

1977: Prof AC Nkabinde became the first Black rector.

1979: Dr MG Buthelezi was installed as the first Black Chancellor. Prof AM Nzimande was appointed as the first campus director.

1980: Election for the first Student Representative Council takes place, as well as the opening of the King Bhekuzulu Hall currently located at the KwaDlangezwa Campus.

1981: The Cecil Renaud Extramural Division is established at the main campus to accommodate after-hours students. The Department of Nursing Science is also established.

1982: The University of Zululand Foundation, administered by a Board of Governors, is established to oversee the university’s fundraising and investment operations.

1983: A farm of 2500 hectares is acquired in the Ntambanana area for the establishment of a Department of Agriculture. A Centre for Business starts functioning. Approval is obtained for the establishment of departments of Hydrology and Mathematical Statistics. Dr M Brindley becomes the first white student to obtain a doctorate (special concession).

1984: The University Council is granted autonomy with regard to practically all matters relating to the disbursement of the annual subsidy, provision of facilities, the determination of the establishment and the employment of staff.

1985: The Science Centre and the research unit for New Religious Movements and Churches (NERMIC) are established.

1986: The University of Zululand is opened to all races. First Honorary Doctorate awarded to Rev. Enos ZK Sikhakhane.

1987: The new library building is completed. The Centre for Legal Services is also established.

1988: Departments of Agriculture, Engineering, Human Movement Science and the Institute for Education and Human Development are established.

1993: Strong links are forged internationally. The research and training farm becomes operational.

Campus

The main Campus is 22 km south of Empangeni and about 142 km north of Durban off the N2 National Road on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Empangeni (UMhlathuze Local Municipality) is the nearest town.

Satellite campuses

The university has previously had satellite campuses throughout KwaZulu-Natal and further afield. As of 2024, Richards Bay is its only satellite campus. The Richards Bay Campus is home to the UNIZULU Science Centre, which provides a hands-on science education to school children from throughout the province.

Students

Student enrollment

The University of Zululand is a contact-only university, with 8,751 students enrolled in 2007. This total included 8,738 full-time students and 13 part-time students. Of the total, 8,583 were South African citizens, while 75 were from other SADC countries and 93 students from non-SADC countries. Enrollment was 17,360 students for the academic year of 2018.

Campus media

Ongoye Online was the official newsletter of the University of Zululand that published news for the university staff and management.

Academic faculties

Programs are offered within four faculties:

Commerce, Administration and Law

The Faculty of Commerce, administration and law (Henceforth FCAL) is headed by the dean Professor Lorraine Greyling and comprises 5 academic departments, namely:

• Accounting & Auditing (including Information Systems) which headed by Professor M Livingstone CA (SA)
• Department of Business Management (incorporating Human Resources Management) which is headed by N Vezi-Magigaba
• Department of Economics, headed by Professor I Kaseeram
• Department of Public Administration, headed by NM Jili
• Department of law (Private law, Public law and Criminal & Procedural law) Which is headed by K Naidoo

Education

The faculty consists of six departments, namely, Comparative and Science of Education, Curriculum and Instruction Studies, Educational Planning and Administration, Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education.

Engineering, Science and Agriculture

The Faculty of Science and Agriculture offers various Science Programmes within the departments of Agriculture, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Consumer Science, Geography and Environmental Studies, Human Movement Sciences, Hydrology, Mathematical Science, Nursing, Physics and Engineering, Science Foundation and Zoology.

Humanities and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Arts is the largest faculty within the institution and boasts 16 departments. The Faculty is headed up by the dean, Professor MA Masoga.

• Anthropology and development studies
• Communication science
• Creative Arts
• English
• General Linguistics and modern languages
• Geography and environmental studies
• History

Sports and recreation

Sports and Recreation is governed by the Student Services Department which carries out some of the co-curricular services that aim at contributing towards total personal student development and advancement. There are 23 sports codes classified as indoor and outdoor.

Indoor sports include aerobics, basketball, bodybuilding, boxing, chess, dance, judo, karate, pool, squash, and table tennis.

Outdoor sports include athletics, cricket, hiking, hockey, netball, rowing, rugby, soccer (men and women), softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

Эх сурвалж: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)