On 10 February 1908 a new department of the Transvaal University College (TUC), situated in Johannesburg, started its classes in Kya Rosa, a house in Skinner Street, Pretoria. This department, consisting of the arts and science courses with four professors, three lecturers and thirty-two students, developed into the University of Pretoria. The nickname for the university - Tuks or Tukkies - is derived from the TUC acronym.
The University of Pretoria, into which the Transvaal University College was then incorporated, was upgraded as a full-fledged and autonomous university on 10 October 1930, having been a university college since 17 May 1910. Afrikaans became the official language of instruction on 13 September 1932.
During the period of 1982 to 2008, the university transformed into a bilingual, multiracial and inclusive institution. The relatively smooth introduction of students from all races formed the initial impetus for transformation and in 1989 the university was declared officially desegregated and opened for all races. In 1993, a policy document was introduced, aiming to position the university in a newly democratic South Africa. In 1994, the university regained its status as a bilingual university when a new language policy was adopted. However, in 2019 a new language policy was adopted which discontinued Afrikaans as a language of instruction in favour of English only.
University of Pretoria Coat of Arms
This Day in History: February 10, 2008
Additional Date: February 10, 2008