Proposed Ekurhuleni University Targets 2027 Start Date

The proposed Ekurhuleni University in South Africa is expected to begin admitting its first students in the second half of 2027. However, the institution still requires the government to finalize its location, funding arrangements, academic programs, and regulatory processes. Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela stated that the project has been reactivated and is progressing through feasibility and institutional planning stages.

Minister Manamela emphasized that the proposed university is still in development and has not yet been formally established or enrolled students. The government's plan is to explore an initial intake in the second half of 2027, with permanent campus construction slated for 2029. These timelines depend on completing the necessary planning, regulatory approvals, and funding arrangements. Establishing a university requires more than a public announcement, including sound governance, academic quality, sustainable funding, and industry partnerships.

The proposed institution aims to address the skills requirements of Ekurhuleni, a region with significant industrial and manufacturing bases, as well as its proximity to OR Tambo International Airport and associated aviation and logistics industries. Dr. Tembile Kulati, project manager of the proposed New Higher Education Institution, outlined a feasibility study and plans for a dual higher education model that brings universities and industry closer together.

The project team has identified Boksburg as the preferred area for the proposed institution, with several possible properties under consideration, including a former prison, railway-related properties, and existing municipal buildings that could be converted into academic facilities. Campus planning specialist Ludwig Hansen stated that between five and six properties have been identified within an area of approximately 1.5km in Boksburg.

The proposed institution will differ from conventional universities by emphasizing applied learning and fostering closer relationships with employers. The emerging model is based on dual higher education, combining academic instruction with structured workplace learning. Students will move between classroom-based learning and practical experience in industry, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

Industry representatives have emphasized that the institution's relevance will depend on whether businesses are genuinely involved in shaping its curriculum and providing students with practical experience. Laurie Less, Group Executive: Corporate Services at Airports Company South Africa, highlighted the range of specialized technical and operational skills required across the aviation industry.

The proposed qualifications will initially range from NQF levels 5 to 8, with postgraduate programs potentially introduced as the institution develops its academic capacity. The institution is being designed around a STEAM approach, incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. This will bring the humanities and social sciences into programs traditionally associated with science and technology.

Key points

• The proposed Ekurhuleni University plans to admit its first students in 2027, pending government approval of its location, funding, and academic programs.