Established in 2004 as Vaal University of Technology (VUT), it originated as a College of Advanced Technical Education (1966-1979) and was later known as Vaal Triangle Technikon (1979-2003).
As part of the higher education sector's transformation in 2004, institutional restructuring was reduced through mergers and acquisitions, higher education institutions, and training in South Africa from 36 to 23. The Vaal University of Technology was subsequently established under the Higher Education Act, No 101 of 1997.
Based in southern Gauteng, Vaal University of Technology draws students from all regions of the country and 25 other countries. It is one of the largest universities of technology in South Africa, with about 21 000 students. The University is well-positioned to contribute to human capital development in the southern Gauteng region, the country, and the continent.
VUT has four campuses. The Vanderbijlpark Campus is situated on 4.6 hectares of land with a state-of-the-art Library, lecture halls, laboratories, auditoriums, and offices. Three satellite campuses extend the University's academic business into Secunda in Mpumalanga and Ekurhuleni in Daveyton (also in Gauteng), and Upington, in the Northern Cape. Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park is an extension of the main campus located in Sebokeng. This is the seat of the Southern Gauteng Innovation Hub. VAT is located in a highly industrialized area alongside major petrochemical, steel, engineering, telecommunications, and manufacturing companies. Communities also surround it with low economic backgrounds.
We thank you for having chosen VUT as your home away from home. We further extend our gratitude to parents and guardians for having entrusted us with their children and wards' education.
VUT's rise to prominence over its fifty-two years of existence has been the result of many factors: the contribution of dedicated staff, the enthusiasm and inventiveness of graduate and undergraduate students, the passion of the alumni to make a difference in the country, and the active engagement of our government, donors, partners and supporters from all walks of life and sectors of society. However, more importantly, the Management, the Council, as well as the Academic and Administrative staff have all played an enormous role in ensuring that VUT remains the Fountain of Knowledge it is today.
In 2016, Vaal University of Technology celebrated its 50th anniversary as an institution of higher learning.
The Vaal University of Technology was originally founded as a College for Advanced Technical Education in 1966. It became a Technikon in 1979. With the advent of the new higher education landscape in 2004, the institution was granted a University of Technology status, hence the name Vaal University of Technology (VUT). In 2014, the University celebrated its 10th anniversary as a University of Technology, whose aspiration and strategy are encapsulated in its Vision and Mission Statement.
The Technikon Act of 1993 empowered the University to provide Degree studies and confer Technikon degrees at three levels, namely, Bachelor, Masters, and Doctoral.
The qualifications were designated as a National Higher Diploma/B Tech degree, a Master's Diploma in Technology/M Tech degree, and Laureates in Technology/D Tech degree. These qualifications were understood to be different from the degrees offered by traditional universities.
The change of status to a Technikon presented a significant challenge for the University. It entailed a shift from an institution concerned with "preparing students for a particular occupation or industry-oriented towards the practice, promotion, and transfer of technology" to one, which disseminates knowledge through teaching, and facilitates the acquisition of knowledge through learning, research, and scientific inquiry.
The new status as a University of Technology (UoT) has inspired the University to compete with other universities by, in addition to teaching and learning, embracing research, community outreach, public service, and other cultural activities consistent with university tradition. This is done while retaining and deepening the rich Technikon strength in co-operative education.
VUT has its main campus at Vanderbijlpark and three program delivery sites at Ekurhuleni, Secunda, and Upington.
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