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The University College of the Western Cape opens its doors.
60 years of Hope, Action and Knowledge built on Social Justice, Community Engagement and Graduate Employability
In 1960 a group of 166 students started classes at the University College of the Western Cape – an apartheid construct to provide limited training for “Coloureds” only. These students were destined for lower to mid-level positions at schools, the civil service and other institutions. But the little “bush college” unexpectedly grew into a beacon of strength and opened the doors of learning to the nation. It fiercely challenged the illegitimate apartheid government and became known as the “Intellectual Home of the Left”. The institution went on to shape our democratic South Africa. Today, the University of the Western Cape is a leading teaching and learning, research-led institution and one of the most influential universities in the country. It remains committed to the upliftment of the communities it serves as well as the global population. This website will take you on our journey through the decades – it celebrates our significant 60th-anniversary milestone.
In 1960 a group of 166 students started classes at the University College of the Western Cape – an apartheid construct to provide limited training for “Coloureds” only. These students were destined for lower to mid-level positions at schools, the civil service and other institutions. But the little “bush college” unexpectedly grew into a beacon of strength and opened the doors of learning to the nation. It fiercely challenged the illegitimate apartheid government and became known as the “Intellectual Home of the Left”. The institution went on to shape our democratic South Africa. Today, the University of the Western Cape is a leading teaching and learning, research-led institution and one of the most influential universities in the country. It remains committed to the upliftment of the communities it serves as well as the global population. This website will take you on our journey through the decades – it celebrates our significant 60th-anniversary milestone.
HISTORIC MILESTONES
HISTORIC MILESTONES
MESSAGE FROM RECTOR
MESSAGE FROM RECTOR
Professor Tyrone Pretorius
Rector & Vice Chancellor
It is my privilege to lead the University of the Western Cape (UWC) alongside a strong and talented executive team as we enter our 60th year of existence. As one of the leading higher education institutions in South Africa and on the continent, we are very pleased with our growth over the past six decades.
UWC, as an institution and a campus community, is strongly defined by the ethos that one’s origins do not define one’s destiny. We see this in the resilience of our students, many of whom will be the first in their families to gain a university education. It is also evident in the institution’s growth and development from a historically disadvantaged institution originally intended to only educate coloured students, to a truly national university of high repute.
We are proud of the fact that our doors of learning have long been open to academically deserving students, irrespective of race or socio-economic circumstances. Moreover, we are proud of the strides that we have made in providing young people with an education that places excellence in teaching, learning, research and innovation at its centre.read more ...
Professor Vivienne Lawack
Acting Rector & Vice Chancellor
YOUNG LEADERS BY NUMBERS
8
The number of exceptional young leaders hailing from UWC who were included in Mail & Guardian’s Young 200 South Africans in 2019. This list celebrates under-35s who are leading the country into a brighter future.
7
UWC students have been selected in as many years to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, invited to share their ideas on science and medicine with some of the sharpest minds in the world.
6
UWC graduates were selected out of thousands of amazing academics to make the GradStar. Top 100 Students list in 2019, selected by employers for their ability to make a real impact in the working world.
5
The number of Young Nelson Mandelas who come from the University of the Western Cape. For the Mandela Centenary in 2018, News24 honoured 100 Young Nelson Mandelas, South Africans who embody a legacy of hope and change.
3
The number of UWC women who made the #InspiringFiftySA 2018 list. Hundreds of amazing women were nominated in the fields of science, tech, engineering and mathematics, but only 50 were chosen.
ACADEMIC MILESTONES
ACADEMIC MILESTONES
12000
STUDENTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA and other African countries have participated in the UWC School of Public Health’s Summer and Winter School programmes
31
UWC’S RANKING in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for quality education.
10
UWC ACADEMICS received awards for excellence in teaching and learning from the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa.
200
UWC WAS INCLUDED among the top 200 universities in emerging economies in the Times Higher Education 2019 rankings since they began in 1992.
124
PHDS WERE CONFERRED by UWC in 2018 in several disciplines – from astrophysics to politics and zoology.
3
THREE UNIVERSITIES UWC, the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria – have formed the Inter- University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA), a flagship project that responds to the big data challenge of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
10
UWC ALUMNI have served as Rectors or Vice- Chancellors of South African universities.
157
THE RANKING AWARDED in 2019 by the URAP World University Rankings to the Astronomy & Astrophysics disciplines taught at UWC, while Physical Science.
7
UWC STUDENTS have been selected in as many years, to participate in the annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings with Nobel laureates, students and researchers from more than 200 institutions.
1
UWC’S FACULTY OF DENTISTRY is the leading dental school in Africa and produces 48% of South Africa’s dentists.
Percentage of Permanent Academic Staff at UWC who hold PhD’s
