UNISA hits milestone as first African university to own airport

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has confirmed its acquisition of a 20-hectare airport facility, becoming the first tertiary institution on the African continent to own an operational airfield. The development marks a shift in the university's instructional model, moving toward a more hands-on, skills-based approach within the aviation and engineering sectors.

Vice-Chancellor Puleng LenkaBula announced the acquisition during a recent press briefing, where she detailed the university's strategy to integrate practical training into its academic offerings. The facility is intended to serve as a specialized site for students to engage with advanced technologies and real-world aeronautical systems.

The move comes as UNISA seeks to align its curriculum with the specific needs of the labour market. By providing a physical site for technical instruction, the university aims to address the demand for high-skill professionals in industries where theoretical knowledge must be supported by practical experience.

Boitumelo Senokoane, an associate professor at the College of Human Sciences, noted that the 20-hectare airport will offer students a rare chance to apply their studies in a live environment. This is particularly relevant for the institution’s focus on engineering and aviation, where direct contact with infrastructure is a prerequisite for competency.

Established in 1873, UNISA currently manages a global student body of over 400,000. While historically known for its distance-learning programs, the university has been expanding its research footprint in areas such as biotechnology, renewable energy, and digitalization. The airport acquisition is viewed as a continuation of this diversification.

The new facility will support several of the university's catalytic niche areas, including space science and advanced manufacturing. By owning the infrastructure, the university gains greater control over its training schedules and the ability to customize the airfield to meet specific research and educational requirements.

In addition to aviation mechanics and engineering, the site is expected to facilitate training in electronics, operations, and safety policy. This aligns with South Africa’s broader economic objectives, as the country maintains a network of 18 airports that require a steady pipeline of qualified technical staff to ensure international safety standards are met.

The acquisition also reflects a trend of rising global rankings for the institution. UNISA recently reported significant growth in its research output and has seen an increase in the number of its academics recognized as top-tier researchers by the National Research Foundation.

Financially, the university has reported a strong position, with reserves growing from R9 billion to over R24 billion over a period of five years. This fiscal stability has enabled the institution to pursue large-scale infrastructure investments like the airport while continuing to fund research and student support initiatives.

The integration of the airport into UNISA’s academic structure is expected to begin immediately, with the facility serving as a primary hub for the next generation of African aviators and engineers.