The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a university in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. It was formed on 1st January 2004 through the merging of two major educational institutions in KwaZulu-Natal – the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville . The University of Natal was a white university under Apartheid, though it had a history of fighting the government for the ability to teach people of other ethnic groups. The University of Durban-Westville was created by the Apartheid government to serve the Asian racial group, which, in South African terms, refers to people from South Asia, namely those of Indian and Pakistani descent.

The merger of the universities came about from a government plan to reduce the number of higher learning institutions in South Africa, and to redress past inequities between the two institutions.

While this is widely regarded by staff of the institution as a worthwhile (and essential) goal, many believe that the new UKZN has adopted a top-heavy, centralist management structure. Concerns have been expressed that the policy of reform will interfere with academic freedom and potentially compromise the quality of academic programmes.

External links

• University homepage