He said the university is mandated and plans to take about 18 000 to 20 000 students by 2024-2026, a move that requires massive infrastructure.

The university is currently offering Bachelor’s Degrees in Education, Agriculture, a National Diploma in Agriculture and Diploma in Hospitality.

It plans to introduce a National Diploma and Degree in ICT by 2015/16 pending approval and accreditation, which takes about 18 months.

The university has appointed Sello Legodi as University Registrar and two Deputy Vice Chancellors, Professor Ric Bernard and Professor. Both Professor Bernard and Howard are responsible for Academic Affairs Rachmond Howard and Planning, respectively.

Striving for excellence

Professor Bernard said the university is about excellence and quality.

“We aim to produce the best of brains and the sharpest of minds,” said Bernard.

Recently, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said he was satisfied with progress being made towards building the University of Mpumalanga and Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape.

“I am satisfied with the planning and preparations geared towards the start of construction of new buildings, in keeping with the commitment made by the President in his State of the Nation Address in June,” said Minister Nzimande.

He said the construction of the new universities was part of expanding the tertiary system in South Africa to accommodate greater numbers of qualifying school leavers.