University of Port Elizabeth
{{Short description|University in South Africa}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox university
|name = University of Port Elizabeth
|native_name = Universiteit van Port Elizabeth
iNyuvesi yaseBhayi
|image = UPE_logo old.svg
|image_upright = 0.8
|motto = Nulli cessura fides (Latin)
|mottoeng = Unyielding Faith
|established = 1964
|closed = 2004
|type = Public University
|endowment =
|staff =
|faculty =
|president =
|provost =
|principal =
|rector =
|chancellor =
|vice_chancellor =
|dean =
|head_label =
|head =
|students =
|undergrad =
|postgrad =
|doctoral =
|city = Port Elizabeth
|province =
|country = South Africa
|campus = Urban and suburban
|former_names = Port Elizabeth Art School
|free_label =
|free =
|colours = {{color box|#0000FF}} {{color box|#000}} {{color box|#FFF}} Blue, black, white
|mascot =
|other_name = UPE
|academic_affiliations = AAU
ACU
HESA
|language = English and Afrikaans
}}
The University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) was a public university located in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. UPE was founded on 31 January 1964, by an act of parliament, and held its first academic year in 1965.{{cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/university-port-elizabeth-founded|title=The University of Port Elizabeth is founded|publisher=South African History Online|access-date=4 November 2013}} It offered bachelor's degrees, as well as masters and doctoral degrees. The university closed down in 2004, with its campuses forming part of the Nelson Mandela University, which opened in 2005.
History
The university was founded as a dual medium institution, offering courses in both English and Afrikaans, catering for white students. Prior to UPE being established, Rhodes University offered courses in Port Elizabeth. The governing National Party, wanted a new university, as it attempted to limit the influence of Rhodes, which was seen as too liberal.{{cite web|url=http://www.reocities.com/bona_spes/uni/upee.html|title=UNIVERSITY OF PORT ELIZABETH|publisher=Geo Cities|access-date=2 December 2013}} From 1994{{cite news|last1=Rwakabukoza|first1=Rebecca|title=Rev. Diana Nkesiga: Bringing femininity to the pulpit|url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Rev--Diana-Nkesiga--Bringing-femininity-to-the-pulpit/-/689842/1733950/-/e33xtxz/-/index.html|access-date=16 December 2015|work=Daily Monitor|date=30 March 2013|location=Kampala, Uganda}} until 2004 the Chaplain of the university was Diana Nkesiga, a female,{{cite news|title=The view from pulpit and pew|url=http://www.pechurchnet.co.za/news/iindaba2406.php|access-date=16 December 2015|publisher=Lindaba|date=June 2004|location=Diocese of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth, South Africa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216040233/http://www.pechurchnet.co.za/news/iindaba2406.php|archive-date=16 December 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Anglican priest who had been ordained in Uganda.{{cite news|last1=Mazinga|first1=Mathias|title=The Revs Nkesiga on their 25-year marital journey|url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/662356-the-revs-nkesiga-on-their-25-year-marital-journey.html|access-date=15 December 2015|publisher=New Vision|date=29 November 2014|location=Kampala, Uganda}}
In 2001, the University of Port Elizabeth gained control of Dower College of Education. This was in line with a plan for education colleges to become divisions of universities and technikons.{{cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Education-colleges-to-become-part-of-varsities-20001219|title=Education colleges to become part of varsities|publisher=News24|date=19 December 2000|access-date=2 December 2013}}
As part of the government's plan for higher education, Vista University's Port Elizabeth campus was merged into UPE in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://missionvale.nmmu.ac.za/|title=Missionvale Campus|publisher=Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University|access-date=2 December 2013}}
In 2003, the merger proposal for Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was announced.{{cite web|url=http://www.polity.org.za/article/asmal-announces-names-of-merging-institutions-2003-10-22|title=Asmal announces names of merging institutions|publisher=Polity.org.za|date=22 October 2013|access-date=2 December 2013}}
UPE effectively shut down after the 2004 academic year, and was merged with Port Elizabeth Technikon on 1 January 2005.
Campus
The initial campus of the university was located in Bird Street, in Central, Port Elizabeth, which had previously been used by Rhodes University.
In January 1974, the university moved to a newly built campus on {{cvt|800|ha}} in Summerstrand.
The Bird Street campus was sold off during the 1990s.
The Dower campus would later become part of Bethelsdorp Technical College,{{cite web|url=http://www.pecollege.edu.za/index.php/pecollege-campus/dower-campus|title=Dower Campus|publisher=Port Elizabeth College|access-date=2 December 2013}} which was ultimately merged into Port Elizabeth College in 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.pecollege.edu.za/images/pdf/PE%20College%20History%202.pdf|title=New mega college has practical vision|publisher=Port Elizabeth College|date=27 December 2002|access-date=2 December 2013}}
The Vista campus was gained through the merger with Vista University's Port Elizabeth campus.
Following the NMMU merger, the main UPE campus became the South Campus of the new university. Vista campus became Missionvale campus, after initially being named Uitenhage Road campus.{{cite web|url=http://www.ecdc.co.za/ecdc/news_article/538/NMMU_puts_out_campus_names_for_comment/21_October_2004|title=NMMU puts out campus names for comment|publisher=Eastern Cape Development Corporation|date=21 October 2004|access-date=2 December 2013}} The Bird Street campus was reacquired, and became the Business School.
The University of Port Elizabeth campus was the largest university campus in the Southern Hemisphere.{{cite web|url=http://www.mantramedia.us/sites/studysa/universities/upe.htm|title=University of Port Elizabeth|publisher=Study South Africa|date=27 December 2002|access-date=2 December 2013}}
Faculties
Sport
UPE offered many sports, including football, rugby and cricket. The main campus housed the University of Port Elizabeth Stadium, which was equipped with an all weather running track and flood lights. The university also ran a professional football club, FCK-UPE, in collaboration with F.C. Copenhagen.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Nelson Mandela University|state=expanded}}
{{South African universities}}
{{South African Business Schools}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|-34.008416|25.670586|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Universities in the Eastern Cape
Category:Public universities in South Africa
Category:Educational institutions established in 1964
Category:1964 establishments in South Africa
Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 2004
Category:2004 disestablishments in South Africa