The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) appears to be forging ahead with its plans to establish two new universities in Gauteng.
The DHET stated in its 2022 performance plan report, that a Steering Committee was established in April 2021 to conduct a feasibility study and meet on a monthly basis.
The committee is comprised of representatives from, the South African Police Service, DSI, National Research Foundation, City of Ekurhuleni, City of Tshwane, USAF, Tshwane University of Technology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand.
The Department further states that a Project Manager was appointed in August 2021 to oversee the feasibility study's activities, including assembling a team of professionals and managing their outputs.
The two higher learning institutes, however, are intended to address the country's persistent skills shortage.
Earlier this year Higher Education Department’s spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, confirmed that the first of the two universities will be in the city of Ekurhuleni and the second will be built in Hammanskraal in northern Gauteng.
He went on to say that the new University of Science and Innovation will concentrate on science and innovation disciplines, including STEM subjects like:
- Data Science;
- Machine-learning;
- Artificial intelligence;
- Blockchain;
- Robotics;
- Hydrogen-powered technologies such as smart transportation and logistics systems.
The second university will concentrate on detecting and preventing crime. The new university is meant to improve the quality of the South African Police Service's general and specialized investigations (SAPS).
