University of Johannesburg

Infobox_University


name = University of Johannesburg
established = 1 January 2005
("by merger of existing institutions")
type = Public university
vice_chancellor = Ihron Rensburg
city = Johannesburg
state = Gauteng
country = South Africa
campus = 7 urban campuses
colours = Orange and white
website = http://www.uj.ac.za/

The University of Johannesburg (Johannesburg, South Africa) came into existence on 1 January 2005 as the result of a merger between the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU). Prior to the merger, the Daveyton and Soweto campuses of the former Vista University had been incorporated into RAU.

Faculties

* [http://www.uj.ac.za/fada Art, Design and Architecture]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/ecofin Economic and Financial Sciences]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/edu Education]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/engineering Engineering and the Built Environment]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/health Health Sciences]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/humanities Humanities]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/law Law]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/management Management]
* [http://www.uj.ac.za/science Science]

Campuses

The new institution is the largest contact university in South Africa, with nine faculties spread over five different campuses:

* APB, or the Auckland Park Bunting Campus (former TWR campus)
* APK, or the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus (former RAU campus)
* DFC, or the Doornfontein Campus (former TWR campus)
* ERC, or the East Rand Campus (former RAU campus, previoulsy former Vista University Daveyton campus)
* SWC, or the Soweto Campus (former RAU campus, previoulsy former Vista University Soweto campus)

The East Rand Campus (ERC) was temporarily closed half way through 2007 pending proposed redevelopment of the campus, provisionally planned for reopening in 2009.

The merger

The South African National Council on Higher Education has sought to allay fears that university mergers in South Africa will equate to a drop in the standard of education. Assurances were given by Kader Asmal, Minister of Education at the time of the mergers, that education standards would not drop. It is generally believed that the standard of tertiary education in South Africa is very high: a factor that has contributed significantly to the brain drain of recent years.

Facilities

The University comprises a built-up area in excess of 45,000m² and the facilities available at the respective campuses include:

* Lecture rooms and microlaboratories
* Libraries
* Sports facilities
* Auditoriums, halls, galleries and conference venues
* Student shopping centres, restaurants and cafeterias
* Campus and health clinics.
* A villa for postgraduate students

The University of Johannesburg also has an arts theatre where the Arts Academy rehearses. This academy consists of the University of Johannesburg Kingsway Choir (conducted by Renette Bouwer and Sidumo Jacobs), the Drama Company and the Song and Dance Company.

External links

* [http://www.uj.ac.za/ University Website]