[Thought Piece] Stellenbosch University – an Overview

Introduction

Known colloquially as ‘Maties’, Stellenbosch University (SU) aspires to be Africa’s leading research- intensive university, globally recognised as excellent, inclusive and innovative, and advancing knowledge in service of society.

SU is a public research institution situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa and counts as one of the top higher education institutions in the country, on the African continent and in the world, according to various independent international ranking systems.

History

After being founded, first in 1859 as a theological seminary, and in subsequent years developing into a college, the institution was officially established as a university in 1918, and commenced its operations with four faculties – Science, Education, Arts and Social Sciences and AgriSciences.

Just over 100 years after SU started out with 503 students and 40 academic staff, today the University’s five campuses in the Western Cape are home to 10 faculties and a vibrant and cosmopolitan community of more than 32 000 students and more than 4 000 staff members. The ten Faculties are AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Military Science, Science and Theology.

As an institution, its complex history is marked by both great academic achievements and valuable lessons. These form the backdrop to the institution’s pursuit of an integrated, transformed, multilingual and multicultural academic community, as rich in diversity as the country and the African continent, where it celebrates critical thinking, promotes debate and remains committed to democracy, human rights and social justice.

SU, therefore, acknowledges its inextricable connection with generations past, present and future. In its responsibility towards the present and future generations, the University renewed its unconditional commitment to the ideal of an inclusive world-class university in and for Africa and continues to do so.

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