Ulundi-based Unizulu campus on the cards
The campus would only offer courses to those interested in teaching mathematics and science.
ULUNDI mayor, Cllr Wilson Ntshangase welcomed a recent announcement by Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande that the University of Zululand (Unizulu) is set to open a campus in Ulundi.
Nzimande said the campus would only offer courses to those interested in teaching mathematics and science.
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Ntshangase said his municipality had been lobbying for the establishment of such an institution in the area to ease the financial burden of families paying to send their children to urban tertiary institutions far from home.
‘We have written several letters to the department, calling to use an old legislature building as a higher learning institution,’ explained Ntshangase.
‘The establishment of a higher learning institution will also grow our local economy.’
Nzimande’s announcement was made during a recent ministerial oversight visit deployed by parliament to the Zululand district as District Development Model (DDM) champion.
He was accompanied by KZN MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Jomo Sibiya, as well as the chairperson of Unizulu Council, Nomarashiya Caluza, and Unizulu Vice Chancellor Professor Xoliswa Mtose.
Nzimande said he’s committed to working with all three spheres of government to establish a steering committee comprising officials from the national and provincial government, the district municipality, local municipalities, the University of Zululand and Higher Health.
‘The District Development Model (DDM) affords government the opportunity to have an integrated planning mechanism using an institutionalised, integrated, district-based, developmental approach aimed at fast-tracking service delivery,’ he explained.
‘This ensures that municipalities work together with provincial and national government, and are adequately supported and resourced to carry out their mandate.’
He said that one of the commitments includes the university expansion to Ulundi.
‘This will ensure that the university contributes to the socio-economic, education and general development of Ulundi and the surrounding areas.’
Nzimande said the University of Zululand is expected to make a presentation on the planning work that has already been done.
‘Together with the Department of Higher Education, they will provide us with targets and plans for the establishment of this campus.’
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