Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was established on January 1, 2005, through the merger of three institutions: the PE Technikon, the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), and the Port Elizabeth campus of Vista University (Vista PE).

The PE Technikon originated from the country’s oldest art school, the PE Art School, which was founded in 1882. The University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), established on January 31, 1964, was South Africa’s first dual-medium residential university. The Port Elizabeth campus of Vista University provided higher education access to disadvantaged students.

This merger was part of a nationwide restructuring of higher education by the government, aimed at creating a more equitable and efficient system to meet the needs of South Africa, the continent, and the world in the 21st century.

On July 20, 2017, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University was officially renamed Nelson Mandela University, making it the only higher education institution globally to bear the name of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. This name change allowed the university to rebrand, position itself on a continental and global stage, and enter a new era of meaningful transformation.

Today, Nelson Mandela University is a sought-after educational destination and the most diverse university in South Africa

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Why Metropolitan Nelson Mandela University Now Nelson Mandela University

On July 20, 2017, the university was officially renamed Nelson Mandela University, making it the only university in the world to bear the name of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. With the full support of Mandela’s eldest grandson and family custodian, Mandla Mandela, it is a unique privilege to honour South Africa’s most beloved statesman and a global moral compass.

Nelson Mandela believed in the power of education as a force for good, urging all South Africans to treasure knowledge and to never stop learning. He valued diversity, especially the convergence of different minds, backgrounds, talents, and approaches to achieve greatness. He emphasized that his contributions were just the beginning, calling on students, academics, and universities to forge new paths and foster cycles of economic innovation, democratic change, and equality.

We embrace Mandela’s challenge and honour his name by leading our university into an era of transformative innovation, development, and change. As an innovative 21st-century institution of higher learning, we take responsibility for his legacy, ensuring it is reflected in our teaching, learning, research, community engagement, and the way we work and live as students, staff, alumni, and partners.

Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to improving society and changing the world for the better. As the university uniquely carries his name, we are committed to doing justice to his legacy.

VISION Of Metropolitan Nelson Mandela University

• To be a dynamic African university, recognised for its leadership in generating cutting-edge knowledge for a sustainable future.

MISSION:

• To offer a diverse range of life-changing educational experiences for a better world.

VALUES:

• Respect for Diversity
• Excellence
• Social Justice and Equality
• Ubuntu
• Integrity
• Sustainable Stewardship

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS| Metropolitan Nelson Mandela University

• Liberate human potential through humanising, innovative lifelong learning experiences that prepare graduates to be socially conscious, responsible global citizens who serve the public good.
• Pursue impactful, pioneering research, innovation and internationalisation to address grand societal challenges and promote sustainable futures.
• Engage with the public in equalising partnerships to co-create transformative, contextually responsive solutions in pursuit of social justice and equality.
• Catalyse dynamic, student-centric approaches and practices that provide life-changing student experiences within and beyond the classroom.