Potchefstroom Campus
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The Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University (nicknamed "Pukke") was formerly known as the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (abbreviated PU for CHE). It is a medium-sized South African university. Tuition is mainly in Afrikaans on the Potchefstroom campus and in English on the other campuses in Mafikeng, Mankwe and the Vaal Triangle (situated in Vanderbijlpark).
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[edit] History
Potchefstroom University developed out of the Theological School of the Reformed Churches in South Africa (Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika in Afrikaans, abbreviated as GKSA), which was founded on 29 November 1869 in Burgersdorp. At the founding meeting, it was decided that education would also be offered to prospective teachers and to persons without any particular profession in mind.
Initially, there were only five students and two lecturers.
In 1877 a "Literary Department" was established, with one professor, with the specific aim of educating students for academic degrees or as teachers.
In 1905, the Theological School, including the Literary Department, was transferred from Burgersdorp to Potchefstroom.
In order to qualify for government subsidies, the Literary Department was separated from the Theological School in 1919 and the Potchefstroom University College for Christian Higher Education (Het Potchefstroom Universiteitskollege voor Christelike Hooger Onderwijs in Afrikaans, and usually abbreviated as PUK) came into being. It was decided that the PUK would be a higher education institute separate and independent from the GKSA, although the PUK would continue to train GKSA ministers.
In 1921, the Potchefstroom University College (without the "for Christian Higher Education" suffix), was incorporated into the University of South Africa; the PUK only got the "for Christian Higher Education" part of its name back in 1933.
The Potchefstroom University College for Christian Higher Education was officially recognised as an independent university and was renamed the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in 1951.
The Vaal Triangle Campus of the University was established in Vanderbijlpark in 1966 in order to provide that area with tertiary education.
In 2004 the Potchefstroom University became one of the four campuses of the new North-West University (the others being in Mafikeng, Mankwe and Vanderbijlpark).
[edit] Faculties
Potchefstroom University provided courses in the following faculties, which the current Potchefstroom Campus of North-West University still provides (the year in which the faculty was founded is given in brackets):
- Arts (1921)
- Natural Sciences (1922)
- Theology (1930)
- Education Sciences (1935)
- Economic and Management Sciences (1942)
- Law (1966)
- Engineering (1983)
- Health Sciences (1999)
[edit] Cultural
The University's "Alabama Student Company" musical revue group, which was formed in 1943, is well known throughout South Africa.
[edit] Student numbers and statistics
In August 2004, the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University had 33,713 students. Of these, 13,021 were male and 20,692 female. Undergraduate students numbered 31,300 and postgraduate students 2,413.
[edit] Famous alumni
- Frederik Willem de Klerk State President of South Africa (1989-1994); Vice President of South Africa, with Nelson Mandela as President (1994-1996).
- Rina Hugo [1], well known singer received her B.Mus degree in 1970. She was a member of the "Alabama Studentegeselskap". She performed in nearly all genres as soloist: Opera, Oratorium, Operetta, Musical theatre and popular Afrikaans music.
- Kobie van Rensburg [2] is an international opera tenor who currently operates from Germany. He was a member of the Potchefstroom University Choir (1987-1994).
- Johan Heyns an influential Afrikaner theologian and moderator of the general synod of the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK). He played a major role in dismantling support for Apartheid in the NGK.
[edit] Commercial products and Patents
[edit] CFAM - Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
Examples of typical projects manufactured by CFAM are:
* Twin-screw extruder screw segments * Twin-screw extruder barrels and barrel segments * Extrusion dies and kneading/paddle blocks * Defense industry components * Components for mining and rock drilling industry * Retrofitting of mechanical components for twin-screw extruders
[edit] CTexT - Centre for Text Technology
- Spelling checkers[3] for several South_african languages including Afrikaans, Setswana, Sesotho sa Leboha (Pedi), isiZulu, isiXhosa
- TSENANG! SETSWANA is a multimedia language acquisition programme
- NGENANI! ISIZULU is a multimedia language acquisition programme
[edit] Student lab [4]
- Student Lab Small Scale Chemistry laboratory
