University of Johannesburg (UJ) | History | Scholarships and Financial Support | Courses Offered

Paul | February 15, 2024 | Nigeria | No Comments

Overview:
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established on January 1, 2005, UJ resulted from the merger of the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. The university is recognized for its comprehensive offerings, diverse student population, and adaptability.

Key Information:

Merger History: UJ emerged from the incorporation of the East Rand and Soweto campuses of Vista University into RAU on January 1, 2004. The subsequent merger with Technikon Witwatersrand on January 1, 2005, created the University of Johannesburg.
Size and Diversity: UJ is one of the largest comprehensive contact universities in South Africa, comprising 26 public universities. It boasts a student population of over 50,000, including more than 3,000 international students from 80 countries.
Leadership: Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor and Principal on January 1, 2023, succeeding Tshilidzi Marwala, who served from 2018 to 2022.

Historical Developments:

Early Foundations: Witwatersrand Technical Institute, founded in 1903, later became Technikon Witwatersrand in 1979. The Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) was established in 1966, while Vista University, founded in 1982, admitted the first black students in designated urban areas.
Post-Apartheid Era: After the end of apartheid in 1994, institutions like RAU saw an increase in African student enrollment. Vista University played a crucial role in providing accessible tertiary education to African communities.
Merger Vision: The formation of UJ in 2005 aimed to create a modern university by integrating different campuses, fostering unity, and contributing to the transformation of South African higher education.

Logo and Brand Identity:

UJ adopted a distinctive approach by opting for a logo and brand identity instead of a coat of arms and motto. The official logo, designed by Joey Hifi, features two hoopoes, which are also the mascots of the UJ Sports Bureau.

Teaching and Degrees:

UJ’s undergraduate teaching spans four terms or two semesters, with year-long subjects and semester-based subjects. The university offers bachelor’s degrees, Advanced Diplomas, Post Graduate Certificates, and B-tech programs, typically completed within three years.
Graduate programs include Honours degrees, post-graduate diplomas, master’s degrees (NQF level 8-9), and doctoral (PhD) degrees (NQF level 10).

Scholarships and Financial Support:

UJ provides various financial support opportunities, including academic merit bursaries for outstanding students and alumni bursaries for postgraduate students. Funding can also be obtained through the National Research Foundation (NRF), National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and external sponsorship bursaries.

The University of Johannesburg continues to play a crucial role in higher education, embracing diversity, and contributing to the academic and research landscape of South Africa.

University of Johannesburg (UJ) – Faculties and Research Focus:

1. Art, Design, and Architecture (FADA):

Programs offered in eight creative disciplines.
Departments: Industrial Design, Architecture, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Jewellery Design and Manufacture, Multimedia, Visual Art.

2. College of Business and Economics (CBE):

Formed from the merger of the Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences.
Significant academic support for students.

3. Education:

Research focus areas: Ecologists of learning, discourse and performative practice of teachers, technology education, teacher identity, values, and human rights in education.

4. Engineering and the Built Environment:

Research focus areas: Civil engineering materials, chromium steels, control and image processing, industrial electronics, manufacturing, mineral processing, small-scale mining, telecommunications, water research.
Departments: Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Mine Surveying, Mining Engineering, Quality and Operations Management, Town and Regional Planning.

5. Health Sciences:

Research focus areas: Laser Research, optometrics science, Water and Health Research.
Departments: Biomedical Technology, Chiropractic, Emergency Medical Care, Environmental Health, Homeopathy, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Imaging and Radiation (Radiography), Nursing, Optometry, Podiatry, Somatology, Sport and Movement Studies.

6. Humanities:

Research focus areas: Social development in Africa, sociological research, culture and languages in Africa, African-European studies, the study of democracy.

7. Law:

Research focus areas: Economic crime, private international law in Africa, banking law, international law in Africa, international and comparative labour and social security law, sport law.

8. Science:

Research focus areas: Nanotechnology, energy and sustainable development, aquatic eco-toxicology, economic geo-metallurgy.
Departments: Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Food Technology, Botany and Plant Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Geography, Environmental Management & Energy Studies, Geology, Physics, Pure and Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Zoology.

The University of Johannesburg’s faculties cover a wide range of academic disciplines with a strong emphasis on research and practical applications in various fields. The diverse research focus areas showcase the university’s commitment to contributing knowledge across multiple domains.

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