UKZN – The Witness | Your compass in the community

Numerous reasons make UKZN an ideal choice for those looking to shape their futures and achieve their academic and career aspirations. Nestled amidst KwaZulu-Natal’s scenic landscapes, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) boasts five campuses, making it the largest university in sub-Saharan Africa and a hub of African scholarship. Since its establishment in 2004 through the merger of the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville, UKZN has emerged as one of the leading Universities on the African continent. We have earned this reputation through excellence in both research and teaching and learning.

This is confirmed by various university rankings that consistently position UKZN as one of the top universities on the African continent and globally. Over the years, UKZN has consistently ranked among the top four universities in South Africa and the top 400 best-performing universities in the world. Additionally, UKZN stands out as the only university in South Africa that offers agricultural engineering accredited by the Engineering Council of SA. At UKZN, excellence and innovation thrive.

The university boasts world-class research centres like the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) under the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science. The ARC is used for research, postgraduate astrophysics, and related data-intensive science training.
The Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the School of Engineering specialises in the design, manufacturing, and testing of rocket propulsion systems. Across disciplines, UKZN academics lead ground-breaking research. For example, Professor Ncoza Dlova, the Dean of UKZN’s School of Clinical Medicine, collaborated with scientists globally to identify a new gene responsible for permanent hair loss in women of African descent, a milestone in dermatology. Meanwhile, Professor Mariza Vorster, Head of Nuclear Medicine, received acclaim for introducing innovative cancer therapy at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.
UKZN remains at the forefront of educational innovation. The School of Education has pioneered coding and robotics in pre-service teacher education, preparing future teachers to adapt and be key role players in the new subject of coding & robotics.

UKZN is at the forefront of addressing socio-economic challenges by providing real-life solutions. For instance, the discipline of housing within the School of Built Environment and Development Studies has launched the Municipality Innovation Index (MIMI) project to aid municipalities in enhancing service provision.

Under the College of Law and Management Studies, UKZN’s Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting earned recognition from the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors, positioning graduates for membership and professional designation in public sector finance and auditing.
UKZN’s commitment to excellence and innovation extends beyond academics, as our vibrant campus life offers more than 200 clubs and societies. We offer various sporting codes and state-of-the-art sports and leisure facilities. Thus, UKZN students have endless opportunities to explore their potential, interact with peers, meet new people, and build lasting friendships or even compete in professional sports
Our excellence is evident in the calibre of our graduates. Over the years, UKZN has produced influential alumni who hold prominent positions in academia, the private sector, sports, the arts, and public service.
For more information, visit www.ukzn.ac.za