UNISWA is in itself a product of a long-held desire for an institution of higher learning for Africans developing from the University of Botswana , Lesotho , and Swaziland (UBLS) between 1964 - 1975. Since inception the University was to play an increasingly important role in national development not only through the educated manpower needed but also through the university's great potential as a focus for academic and cultural activities of the nation.

Since achieving the university status in 1982, UNISWA has continued to grow and develop in accordance with its stated aim of assisting national development. In the post-independence period Swaziland has seen major socio economic changes:

industry and commerce have become well established. There are obvious indicators of the new technological, business and commercial manpower demands which have emerged in the past decade. There is no doubt that the technological revolution which is sweeping the whole world, symbolized visibly by computers and new materials, has visited this country as well.

Responding to the urgent need of the nation, UNISWA has embarked upon a new phase of development. Faculties have strengthen their programmes enabling them to offer a single subject majors to some students, courses leading to masters degrees will shortly be introduced. In achieving the stated goals UNISWA has ten centres

The Academic Development Centre

This centre was established to promote and facilitate the overall development of academic staff and students, thereby improving the academic quality of teaching and learning in the University. With regard to that UNISWA has offered a certain type of programmes to fit in with the industry demand. UNISWA boasts an ever increasing output of graduates since then. In producing the best qualified manpower, UNISWA has established business links to include staff exchanges and internship placement and activities with affiliated colleges.

Information and communication technologies were identified by the University as one of the strategic objectives to improve teaching, learning, research and administration at University, hence the need to establish the Information and Communications Technology Centre. Computer facilities at the University have been improved and a Computer Foundations Course is offered through this unit to all first year students. Also, the university looks into assisting schools and colleges integrate computer technology in teaching and curriculum development.

The Institute of Distance Education (IDE)

The IDE came into existence as a result of the national education demands. The aim of IDE is to offer higher education programmes, through the distance education mode for the benefit of those who for various reasons could not enter the mainstream education. IDE is one of the main growth areas of the University with the largest number of students

As part of its mandate, the University is expected to undertake community service. The functions of the Centre for Community Services are to formulate and implement community service guidelines and policy. Documentation and dissemination of information arising from teaching and research for the benefit of the community is done in this Centre. Key stakeholders of the Centre are staff and students; communities and service providers. This has seen a number of structures being built for needy members of the communities. Some student's organizations work on empowering entrepreneurs on starting and running businesses. Just recently UNISWA has joined hands with correctional services in a bid to improve services provided by the correctional services.

Health Information and Counseling Centre

With HIV and AIDS having been declared a National Disaster, the University established the Health Information and Counseling Centre to deal with all health issues. The Centre is in the process of formulating a policy for the University on how to deal with the scourge and also working towards incorporating HIV and AIDS issues into the curriculum.

Swaziland Institute for Research in Traditional Medicine, Medicinal and Indigenous Food Plants

Swaziland is endowed with very rich diversified flora. Species include plants used by traditional medicinal practitioners, plants with proven activity against pests and those with potential as pharmaceuticals and fragrances, as well as edible wild plants. Taking cognizance of that, the University established the Swaziland Institute for Research in Traditional Medicine, Medicinal and Indigenous Food Plants.

It would be unfair of us not to note the role played by UNISWA in producing the most educated manpower in relation to industry demand and uplifting the standards of education in the country.

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The University of Swaziland (UNISWA) in National Development

Article by Tengetile Ngwekazi