University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN)

Founded in 1910 as: 'The Natal University College', in Pietermaritzburg. The University of Natal was granted independent University status only in, 1949 and this was owing to its rapid growth in numbers. This University offered a wide range of courses and "Its achievements and opportunities in research were remarkable!" By that time, the Natal University Campus was already a Multi-Campus Institution, after having been extended to Durban after World War 1. The distinctive Howard College Building was opened in 1931. This was following a donation by Mr. T B Davis, whose son Howard Davis was killed during the Battle of Somme in World War I. The 1916 Somme offensive was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War (1914-18). The opening day of the attack, 1 July 1916, saw the British Army sustain 57,000 casualties, the bloodiest day in its history!

In 1946, the Government also approved a Faculty of Agriculture, in Pietermaritzburg. Then in 1947, a Medical School for African, Indian and Coloured students, in Durban. (now known as the: 'Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine') As of the 2001 Census: '22.9% of the Population in KwaZulu-Natal who are 20 years of age or more and have received no Tertiary Education. While only 4.8% had Higher Education.' Even though KwaZulu Natal has: 'Traditional and Comprehensive' Universities.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) was officially formed on '1 January 2004. As a result of the merger between the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. The new University brought together the rich Histories of both, these former Universities. The University of Durban-Westville, (UDW), was established in the 1960's. This University or College was for Indians on Salisbury Island in the Bay of Durban. Student numbers throughout the 1960's were low as a result of 'The Congress Alliances Policy'' This policy gave way in the 1980's to the strategy of: “education under protest”. This sought to transform Apartheid Institutions into: 'Sites of struggle'. Student numbers grew rapidly and in 1971. The College Campus in Westville was a site of major anti-Apartheid struggle. UDW became an autonomous institution in 1984, opening up to students of all races.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a university with five Campuses, in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. In 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. These two KwaZulu-Natal Universities were among the first batch of South African institutionsthat were in accordance with the Government’s Higher Educational Restructuring.This was eventually supposed to see plans that will increase the number of Higher Educational Institutions, in South Africa. This, however, reduced the Higher Education Facilities, from 36 to 21. This was confirmed by a Parliament decision, in December 2002.

"The University of KwaZulu-Natal aims to be a truly South African University that reflects the society, in which it is situated. Not only in terms of race, gender and class – but in terms of how it structures its values and priorities and how it responds to social needs. As an institution of higher learning, it is committed to academic excellence, innovation in research and critical engagement with society." The University of Zululand (also known as; 'Unizulu') has been designated to serve as the only comprehensive tertiary educational institution North of the Tugela River, in KwaZulu-Natal. This new status is in accordance with South Africa's National Plan for Higher Education and aims at eradicating: 'Inequity and Costly Duplication'. As a result, Unizulu, offers career-focused programs as well as a limited number of relevant University degree courses that have been structured with potential employees and employers in mind.