# University of the Witwatersrand

> public research university in Johannesburg, South Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q534643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q534643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Witwatersrand)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-the-witwatersrand

## Summary
The University of the Witwatersrand is a public research university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Founded in 1896, it is commonly known as Wits University and is one of the leading universities in Africa.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1896, making it one of South Africa's oldest universities
- Located in Johannesburg, South Africa at coordinates -26.190833, 28.030278
- Ranked 264th globally in the 2024 QS World University Rankings
- Has approximately 4,712 employees
- Official motto is "Scientia et Labore" (Latin for "Knowledge and Work")
- Operates under multiple names including Wits University, University of Witwatersrand, and Wits.ac.za
- Member of the Open Society University Network and African Research Universities Alliance
- Has received funding from Open Society Foundations totaling over $2 million for various research initiatives

## FAQs
### Q: What is the University of the Witwatersrand known for?
A: The University of the Witwatersrand is known for being a leading public research university in South Africa, particularly recognized for its academic excellence and research contributions in various fields including science, engineering, and social sciences.

### Q: Where is the University of the Witwatersrand located?
A: The University of the Witwatersrand is located in Johannesburg, South Africa, with its main campus situated at 1 Jan Smuts Avenue.

### Q: When was the University of the Witwatersrand founded?
A: The University of the Witwatersrand was founded in 1896, making it one of the oldest universities in South Africa.

## Why It Matters
The University of the Witwatersrand plays a crucial role in higher education and research in South Africa and across the African continent. As a public research university, it contributes significantly to the advancement of knowledge through its academic programs and research initiatives. The institution has been instrumental in producing graduates who have gone on to become leaders in various fields, contributing to the development of South Africa and beyond. Its research output addresses critical challenges facing the continent, from health and socio-economic issues to technological innovation. The university's commitment to academic excellence and its role in fostering intellectual discourse make it a vital institution for both education and societal progress in South Africa.

## Notable For
- Being one of the top-ranked universities in Africa, consistently appearing in global university rankings
- Its strong research output, particularly in fields like health sciences, engineering, and social sciences
- Hosting the Origins Centre, a museum dedicated to the study of human origins
- Its historical significance as a center of academic freedom during apartheid South Africa
- Producing notable alumni including several Nobel laureates and prominent political figures

## Body
### History and Background
The University of the Witwatersrand was established in 1896 as the South African School of Mines in Kimberley. It was later relocated to Johannesburg and renamed the Transvaal Technical Institute in 1904, before becoming the University of the Witwatersrand in 1922. The university's name comes from the Witwatersrand ridge, a geological formation upon which Johannesburg is built.

### Academic Structure
Wits University comprises five faculties: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across these faculties.

### Research and Innovation
The university is known for its strong research focus, with numerous research centers and institutes. It has made significant contributions to various fields, including the development of the first human heart transplant surgery by Wits graduate Christiaan Barnard. The institution continues to be at the forefront of research in areas such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and mining technology.

### Campus and Facilities
The main campus is located in the central area of Johannesburg, with additional campuses in the city. The university's facilities include modern lecture halls, research laboratories, libraries, and sports complexes. The Wits Art Museum, located on the main campus, houses an extensive collection of African art.

### International Recognition
Wits University has gained international recognition for its academic quality and research output. It is a member of several international university networks and has partnerships with institutions worldwide. The university's global ranking has improved over the years, reflecting its growing reputation in the international academic community.

### Social Impact
Throughout its history, Wits University has played a significant role in South African society. During the apartheid era, it was one of the few universities that admitted students of all races. The institution continues to be involved in addressing social issues through its research and community engagement programs.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
  "name": "University of the Witwatersrand",
  "description": "Public research university in Johannesburg, South Africa",
  "url": "https://www.wits.ac.za/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38395",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Witwatersrand"
  ],
  "foundingDate": "1896",
  "location": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Johannesburg, South Africa",
    "geo": {
      "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
      "latitude": -26.190833,
      "longitude": 28.030278
    }
  },
  "motto": "Scientia et Labore",
  "numberOfEmployees": 4712
}

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://orcid.org/members/001G000001TebLYIAZ-university-of-the-witwatersrand-wits)
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231020113811/https://orcid.org/members)
6. [Our Members / Tier 6](https://web.archive.org/web/20211129171645/https://arxiv.org/about/ourmembers)
7. [Source](https://www.dpconline.org/news/new-members-of-the-dpc/wits-uni-joins-dpc)
8. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20230905131850/https://sanlic.org.za/about/)
9. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240113101838/https://ndltd.org/membership/list-of-members/)
10. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240131234035/https://www.coar-repositories.org/members/)
11. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240204131149/https://opensocietyuniversitynetwork.org/about/members/)
12. [Source](https://www.aau.org/subs/membership/)
13. [Source](https://arua.org/member-universities/)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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16. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023)
17. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022)
18. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2024)
19. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/universities/university-witwatersrand)
20. [Source](http://www.wits.ac.za/)
21. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
22. GRID Release 2015-12-14
23. GRID Release 2016-12-06
24. Open Funder Registry
25. Quora
26. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
27. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2023-91675)
28. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2023-91003)
29. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2023-90377)
30. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2021-83674)
31. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2021-83730)
32. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2020-76582)
33. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2021-82319)
34. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2021-82261)
35. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2020-77269)
36. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2020-72982)
37. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2019-64060)
38. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2020-75206)
39. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2019-64065)
40. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2018-46348)
41. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2018-46383)
42. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2019-60033)
43. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2018-43506)
44. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2017-34510)
45. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2016-30486)