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.
The world needs an alternative system, measuring economic value in face of the dissatisfaction that brought Donald Trump to the White House.
President Jacob Zuma during his 2017 state of the nation address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
Reuters/Sumaya Hisham
The reality is that the move to introduce a sugar tax in South Africa is necessary because of the scourge of non-communicable diseases and obesity in the country.
Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow arriving home.
EPA
Although Ecowas and the AU made sure that Yahya Jammeh stepped down after losing the elections in The Gambia, caution is warranted in assuming this heralds a trend against African dictatorships.
Universities are in the grip of a torrid period of change and disquiet.
Kim Ludbrook/EPA
South Africa considers itself to be playing a key role in promoting the ‘African Agenda’ in continental and world affairs. But perceptions in the rest of Africa tell a different story.
Presidents Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Muhammadu Buhari, Macky Sall and former Ghanian President John Mahama at a special meeting of Ecowas on The Gambia.
Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde
SADC’s credibility is at stake. Its lack of political will in acting decisively against despots is at odds with the African Union’s goal of promoting legitimate governance on the continent.
Africa is home to a rich diversity of edible insects like mopani worms.
Flickr
Saliou Niassy, University of Pretoria and Sunday Ekesi, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
Insects have often been described with words like “disgusting” and the idea of eating them horrifies some people. But this needs to change as they can be an important food source.
An aerial view of workers at a factory in one of Kenya’s export processing zones near the capital Nairobi.
Reuters/Thomas Mukoya
Africa needs to learn from the experiences of others who have negotiated free trade pacts. In particular it needs to ensure its process is inclusive and does not pander to a few special interests.
A mural depicting populist dictators painted onto remnants of the Berlin Wall in Berlin in 2014.
Henning Melber
The legitimacy and credibility of those in power has been eroded by bad governance, patronage and the obsession to claim an exclusive agency representing the people.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May can’t rely on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and others in the Commonwealth for unfettered trade support.
Reuters/Adnan Abidi
A study in Malawi shows how the participation of local community leaders in policy development can change men’s attitudes to maternal and child health for the better.
Un homme brûlant des ordures dans un quartier de Nairobi, au Kenya.
Siegfried Modola/Reuters
There are early signs of the emergence of a third force for good in South Africa in the likes of the Save SA movement and Socio-Economic Future of South Africa convened by the Archbishop of Cape Town.
Photosynthesis can teach scientists a lot about solar technologies.
Shutterstock
Individual light-harvesting protein complexes have a remarkable ability. Light, which is normally effectively harvested, is also used to finely control how much of it should be harvested.
A man burns rubbish on the side of a road in Dandora in Nairobi, Kenya.
Reuters/Siegfried Modola
Credit ratings have an impact on government, as well as ordinary people. This article was first published last year as South Africa faced a possible downgrade.
Members of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa protesting against youth unemployment.
Reuters/Rogan Ward
South Africa’s problem is that its constitution is a perfect brochure of the nation it aspires to be. But the contractors entrusted with its future have an entirely different project in mind.
A migrant walks past the fence which secures the approach to the city in Calais, France.
Reuters/Pascal Rossignol
Europe has resorted to more severe measure to keep migrants out. But this is not sustainable. The root causes of migration need to be properly addressed.
Paediatrician, Paediatric Pulmonologist, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics & Extraordinary Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria