Whose heritage is it anyway?

The Unisa Archives and the Alumni Relations Office are collaborating on a project that connects the university's academic resources with the living memories of graduates. This initiative is about ensuring that the achievements of the past continue to benefit the present, and energise the future. One of the ways in which this vision comes to life is through the preservation of Unisa’s study guides. This is an invaluable academic resource that supports alumni after graduation.

The Unisa Archives, housed in the Library at the Muckleneuk campus, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the university’s historical and academic legacy. One of its collections is the Unisa study guides, which were introduced in 1948. Early study guides were written mainly in Afrikaans and are among the oldest documents in the collection, providing a glimpse into the academic practices of the past. Study guides continue to be a vital part of teaching, learning, and research, serving as a record of academic content and an instrument that links generations of scholars and students.

Call to academics, students and alumni

The Archives invites academics and alumni to share copies of their study guides to preserve them for future use. The archivist heading the study guide project, Ncediswa Peter, emphasises that these contributions are crucial for sustaining academic work and enriching the university’s historical collections.

Upon receipt, study guides are stamped for record-keeping, and the introduction and table of contents are printed and stored. The Archives serves as a central point where graduates can request study guides for application to study at other institutions, especially abroad. These graduates often need their academic documentation verified to be eligible for application. In such cases, the Archives provides study guides to assist. This service plays a pivotal role in keeping alumni connected to Unisa, even as they pursue opportunities worldwide.

The work of the Archives, supported by the Alumni Relations Office, ensures that Unisa’s institutional memory continues to grow through contributions from its community.

Study guides can be submitted to or requested from peterna@unisa.ac.za. 

* By Lethabo Nkogatse, Intern: Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations, and Cilla Boucher, Alumni Relations Officer: Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations

** Photo by Cilla Boucher