VISION STATEMENT:

Our vision as a values-driven university is to be the leader in optimising the potential of our communities towards sustainable development in Africa.
Having attained our vision we will be able to:
Contribute to the transformation and development of our communities in terms of the full spectrum of their needs
Empower our institution, staff, graduates and communities to contribute and compete, both locally and internationally
Continue to make a major contribution to sustainable development in Africa

MISSION STATEMENT

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is an engaged and people-centred university that serves the needs of its diverse communities by contributing to sustainable development through excellent academic programmes, research and service delivery.

VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

Inspired by the leadership qualities of Nelson Mandela in the transformation to democracy in South Africa, we are guided by the following eight core values and principles in our own transformation towards the NMMU:

Transformation for Equity and Fairness:
We promote reconciliation and respond actively to past inequities
We strive to eradicate all forms of unfair discrimination
We treat all persons fairly in accordance with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
We ensure that our staff and student profiles progressively reflect the demographic realities of South African society
Respect for Diversity
We reflect and serve geographically and culturally diverse communities that enrich our university
We encourage a multiplicity of opinions and backgrounds
We seek ways to incorporate the voices and experiences of all communities
We support internationalisation through enrolment of international students, exchange of students and staff, diversification of programmes, promotion of collaborative research and cultural exchange
People-centredness
We care about the current and future wellness of our students, staff and community
We foster a supportive and enabling environment that attracts and retains high quality students and staff
We strive to empower and build the capacity of people to realise their full potential
We support lifelong learning for all
Student Access
We accept our key priority is to provide a quality higher education to all students who have the potential to succeed
We promote equity of access and fair opportunities so as to give every student the best chance of academic and professional success
We provide an accessible and affirming environment taking into account the diverse aspirations and needs of our students, including financial needs
We strive to increase equitable student enrolment in Business, Science, Engineering and Technology as per national imperatives
We commit to developing graduates and diplomates who are well-rounded, critical thinkers, entrepreneurial, innovative and employable
Engagement
We engage with our stakeholders and communities with special emphasis on the Nelson Mandela Metropole and the Southern Cape
We develop programmes, conduct research and offer services that are responsive to community needs
We encourage reciprocal relations with universities nationally and internationally, especially in Africa
We support the establishment of sound relationships with our student and employee representatives
Excellence
We value and reward excellence in the performance of our people, and take pride in our programmes, research, facilities and services
We offer a comprehensive range of relevant academic programmes, emphasising professional and technological education of the highest standard
We commit to institution-wide quality management and continuous improvement
Innovation
We nurture creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship as integral to scholarship and the knowledge society
We promote and reward innovative research, teaching and learning practices that advance our institution and support sustainable development
We enhance our capacity for creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and financial sustainability by establishing mutual partnerships with government, business and other community stakeholders
Integrity
We act with integrity, communicate respectfully and accept responsibility for our words and actions
We require ethical, professional behaviour by all persons associated with the university
We conduct our activities in an accountable and transparent manner
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) opened on 1 January 2005, the result of a merger of the PE Technikon, the University of Port Elizabeth and the Port Elizabeth campus of Vista University. This union of three very different institutions came about as a result of government’s countrywide restructuring of higher education – intended to deliver a more equitable and efficient system to meet the needs of South Africa in the 21st century.

NMMU brings together the best traditions of technikon and university education, and draws on more than a century of quality higher education, in a new kind of university that offers a wide range of academic, professional and technological programmes at varying entrance and exit levels.

In 2005, NMMU will have more than 20 000 students and approximately 2 000 staff members, based on seven campuses or delivery sites in the Nelson Mandela Metropole and George. The sites are the former PE Technikon Main, College and George (two sites) campuses; UPE’s former Summerstrand and Bird Street campuses; and the Port Elizabeth campus of the former Vista University in Uitenhage Road.

The Interim Council of NMMU is chaired by Judge Fikile Bam, the President of the Land Claims Court, and the Vice-Chancellor is Dr Rolf Stumpf. A full Council is expected to be in place during the course of 2005 and the appointment of a permanent management team will follow thereafter.

The first step in the merger came with the incorporation of Vista PE by UPE on 2 January 2004, followed by the merger of PE Technikon and UPE on 1 January 2005.

The PE Technikon has its roots in the country’s oldest art school, the PE Art School founded in 1882. The institution later became the College for Advanced Technical Education (CATE), initially situated in Russell Road, Central. The college moved to Summerstrand in 1974 and became the PE Technikon in 1979. The Teachers’ Training College in Summerstrand was taken over by the technikon in 1994, becoming known as the College Campus.

The PE Technikon expanded to the Southern Cape in 1985 when it took over the Saasveld Forestry College from the Department of Forestry. The George Campus expanded in 2001 with the purchase of the Hurteria Building in the centre of the town.

At the time of the merger, PE Technikon had more than 10 000 students. The institution’s last Chancellor was former Speaker of Parliament Dr Frene Ginwala, the last Vice-Chancellor Prof Hennie Snyman, and the last Chair of Council Mr Clive Stanton.

The University of Port Elizabeth, the country’s first dual-medium residential university, came into being on 31 January 1964 with the adoption by Parliament of Act 1 of 1964. The first academic year commenced on 1 March 1965.

Initially situated in a series of buildings in Bird Street, in the historic Central district, UPE moved to a modern, purpose-built campus - incorporating residences, sports complex and the towering Main Building – in Summerstrand in 1974. The campus was officially opened in August 1975 and the final move from Bird Street came in 1979 with the opening of the science blocks at Summerstrand. The university retained some of its Bird Street buildings and these became the centre of community outreach activities.

Built on 830 ha of land donated by the then Port Elizabeth City Council, the campus was declared a nature reserve in 1983.

At the time of the merger, UPE had more than 9 000 contact students and almost 5 000 distance education students. The last Chancellor was Dr Brigalia Bam, the last Vice-Chancellor Dr Rolf Stumpf and the last Chair of Council Mr Trevor Jennings.

Vista University was founded on 1 January 1982. Subsequently, seven decentralized contact tuition campuses were established, centred on township areas where the need for accessible and affordable higher education was most urgent. In 1982, the Port Elizabeth campus consisted of a small, prefabricated building patched between the national road to Uitenhage and the edge of Zwide township. Its location opened up access to higher education for many students from socially and financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

The campus had its first academic year in 1983 and in 1991 a permanent brick structure was completed. Later additions such as the Conference Hall and Arena provided accessible facilities for the surrounding community for large events. With seating for 5 000, the Arena is the Eastern Cape’s largest indoor venue.

Initially focused on the upgrading of teachers through its Education Faculty, in its subsequent growth Vista far surpassed the narrow field of expertise cut out for it, producing graduates in business, law, science and the humanities.

At the time of the merger, Vista PE had approximately 2 000 students and was led by Acting Campus Principal Prof Miemie Struwig.   More detail...