The IIE’s Varsity College and IIE Vega headed for new premium campus in the heart of Sandton
OCTOBER 2024
The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) will soon start development on a new mega-campus on Grayston Drive, promising an exciting new student experience and the highest quality academic excellence to thousands more students.
The IIE, South Africa’s largest private higher education institution and wholly owned subsidiary of investment holding company ADvTECH Limited, will launch this premium new university campus in 2026 for The IIE’s Varsity College and IIE Vega students. The new campus will be developed on the property of what was formerly known as the FNB Training Centre, after the purchase was approved by the Competition Commission. Students can expect a premium education in architecturally future-focused facilities set among expansive gardens, with ample parking as well as sporting facilities.
The new development will involve retrofitting and upgrading of the existing facilities, covering approximately 47 000m2. In addition, an office and lecture building, new sports centre and reconfiguration of the entrance on Grayston Drive will be built. It is anticipated that development will take place in two phases, with the first phase expected to commence towards the end of 2024. The campus is set to open officially in January 2026 and will ultimately accommodate around 9000 students.
A broad range of undergraduate to postgraduate tertiary qualifications will be offered within the Commerce, Education, Humanities, Law and Science & Technology Faculties. IIE Vega School will be sited within the precinct, with a standalone building to cater for all IIE Vega’s specialist qualifications and students.
“It is increasingly evident that The IIE has become the institution of choice for quality higher education, and we are thrilled to be able to ensure thousands more students will be able to benefit from the opportunities that will arise from the development of our new mega-campus,” says Louise Wiseman, Managing Director of The IIE’s Varsity College, IIE Vega and IIE MSA.
Following comments made by ADvTECH CEO, Geoff Whyte, at the recent release of the group’s results, ADvTECH is in the process of seeking to launch the first private university in South Africa through what are now The IIE’s Varsity College, IIE Vega and IIE MSA.
“Further to the work established to lay the foundation for this vision, we are truly thrilled with this opportunity to launch an iconic super world class campus in a desirable, central location with facilities to match,” says Wiseman.
South Africa is in the process of reviewing criteria for institutions with the aim of ensuring that qualifying private higher education institutions, such as The IIE’s Varsity College, IIE Vega and IIE MSA may be recognised as private universities (as opposed to state-funded public universities). This development will align South Africa to best practice in the rest of the world where private universities enjoy the same recognition and prestige as their public counterparts, as is the case for example with Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Princeton.
“Our private university positioning continues to focus on the individual student, with an emphasis on creating a dynamic, engaged, and supportive academic environment consisting of comparatively small lecture groups, interactive facilitation techniques, the use of modern technology in the educational space, and lecturers who are actively engaged in their respective professional fields, to bring industry experience into the learning environment,” says Wiseman.
“This investment will provide us with the leading position to provide quality higher education for our future graduates. And it will significantly contribute to enhancing South Africa’s economy, by increasing access to quality higher education, fostering employment opportunities, and fostering socio-economic growth.”
Wiseman notes that Sandton has excellent public transport which will ease travel to campus.
“Students can rightly look forward to the expansive space and cutting-edge student facilities to serve all their needs, including an indoor sports centre and gym,” she says.
“We are thrilled to be able to ensure thousands more students will be able to benefit from the opportunities that will arise from the development of our new mega-campus.”