The University is a values-based, research-intensive university that equips its students to succeed in a rapidly changing world by providing students with inquiry-led training and learning opportunities. The University of Pretoria’s long-term Strategic Plan captures the essence of a shared vision, aiming to sustain UP’s quality and relevance as a university that is firmly rooted in Africa, and to harness its existing and future potential for diversity. UP strives to ensure that it is recognised in the global marketplace of knowledge production.
UP has nine faculties and a business school:
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Education
- Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Law
- Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Theology
- Veterinary Science (the only faculty of its kind in South Africa)
- the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
The University of Pretoria came into existence in 1908 as the Pretoria branch of the Transvaal University College. The College became a fully-fledged university in 1930 and the colloquial name Tuks, or Tukkies, was derived from the acronym TUC for Transvaal University College. UP’s current facilities portfolio consists of more than 790 buildings and structures spread over 33 sites located on six campuses that cover 1100 hectares of land. In the 106 years of its existence the University has produced more than 230 000 alumni. The University prides itself on producing well-rounded, creative graduates, responsible, productive citizens and future leaders. Great emphasis is placed on student life and support as well as the advancement of sport, art, culture and music.
Gemma Ware, The Conversation and Daniel Merino, The Conversation
We talk to three experts who argue we governments need to find alternatives for their dependence on economic growth. Listen to episode 39 of The Conversation Weekly.
BioNTech Marburg is one of the largest manufacturing facilities producing mRNA vaccines in the world.
Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
These organisations are ideally placed to contribute their fine-grained local knowledge. They intimately understand the specific needs of the most vulnerable in their communities.
A small-scale farmer in Soweto, South Africa.
Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Most farmers experienced reduced demand and lower prices for their produce. There were also disruptions to production.
Thousands of activists protest outside the South African parliament in Cape Town, following a week of brutal murders of young women in 2019.
EFE-EPA/Nic Bothma
The problem of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa is structural and fuelled by inequalities that transect race, class, gender, sexuality and age.
Making vaccines in South Africa by building on the foundation that’s been laid is possible. But only if substantial and sustained investment in human resources and infrastructure becomes a reality.
South Africa has seen a fair number of whistleblowers raising the alarm on irregularities and corruption – the most recent was murdered.
Wind turbines at the Mehrum coal-fired power station in the Peine district in Lower Saxony, Mehrum. The phase-out of coal is planned by 2038.
Julian Stratenschulte via GettyImages
Good governance should be seen as the first and main tool for achieving climate change mitigation as policymakers pursue sustainable solutions for the environmental crisis.
State-owned enterprises, such as Transnet, which runs South Africa’s ports, loom large over the economy.
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If done effectively, the reallocation could help African countries deal with COVID-19, climate change and their many other economic and social challenges.
We are being cautious about the implications for vaccine efficacy and transmissibility while we gather more data to understand this lineage.
GPS devices on 20 bats in a Ugandan cave in 2018 as part of a research project to determine flight patterns and how they transmit Marburg virus to humans.
Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Zambia’s new president will have to balance austerity and the high expectations of the many unemployed young people and struggling people who voted for him.
IMF to inject $650 billion in Special Drawing Rights into the global economy.
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The IMF’s injection of US$650 billion worth of Special Drawing Rights into the global economy opens a window for African countries to reform their relationship with the fund.
Providing child care facilities at markets, like this one in Abijan, Ivory Coast, could ease the burden on women traders.
EFE-EPA/ Legnan Koula
Inserting electrodes into insects helps scientists understand what attracts these insects – and, stemming from that, how to trap them and protect crops.
Paediatrician, Paediatric Pulmonologist, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics & Extraordinary Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria