The University of KwaZulu-Natal was formed on 1 January 2004 as a result of the merger between the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. The new university brings together the rich histories of both the former Universities.
The two KwaZulu-Natal universities were among the first batch of South African institutions to merge in 2004 in accordance with the governments higher educational restructuring plans. UKZN is at work to establish a value-driven organizational culture that empowers the institution and its people to achieve institutional goals. The guiding values are respect, excellence, accountability, client orientation, honesty and trust – represented as R.E.A.C.H.T. University of KwaZulu-Natal aims to be a truly South African university that is academically excellent, innovative in research, critically engaged with society and demographically representative, redressing the disadvantages, inequities and imbalances of the past.