Vaal University of Technology


Vaal University of Technology is a tertiary institution in South Africa. It attracts students from all over the country. It is one of the largest residential Universities of Technology, with about 25,000 students, 300 programs, all primarily taught in English. The campus and facilities are conducive to learning, research, recreation and sport, art and culture, and community service. The campuses have lecture halls, laboratories, a number of auditoriums and office space situated on 46 000 square metres. Four Satellite campuses extend the services of the University, at Secunda, Kempton Park, Klerksdorp and Upington. Besides the four faculties, various departments serve its students, catering for their needs.

History

The forerunner to the Vaal University of Technology was named the Vaal Triangle College for Advanced Technical Education. Situated in Vanderbijlpark in South Africa's industrial heartland, it opened its doors to 189 students in 1966. Growth was rapid. In 1975, new buildings – including a library, gymnasium, laboratories and lecture halls – enabled growth to continue, so that by 1978 student enrolments reached 3 000 and the staff complement 137. The following year, the Advanced Technical Education Amendment Act brought a name change – the Vaal Triangle Technikon – and the opportunity for the new category of higher education institutions to offer and award National Certificates, National Diplomas, National Higher Diplomas and National Masters Diplomas.
By 1987, as new facilities continued to be added to the core institution, student numbers reached 6 000, and nearly 15 000 twelve years later. In 2004, the Vaal University of Technology came into being – and incorporated the old Vista University campus in Sebokeng township which was promptly renamed ‘Educity’.

Academics

The 325 academic and research staff are spread across the university's four faculties:
Notable staff members include Prof Peter Dzvimbo the university's current deputy vice chancellor: academic and research.

Student Enrollment

The Vaal University of Technology is a contact institution. There were 16,146 contact students enrolled in 2007. Of the student body, 14,693 were full-time students and 1,453 part-time. Of these, 14,781 were South African citizens while 909 were from other SADC countries and 456 from non-SADC countries.

Ranking

Notable Alumni