Kananelo Mokhele
The National University of Lesotho (NUL) has announced the start of its 80th-anniversary celebrations, honouring eight decades of academic achievement, regional collaboration, and innovation.
The milestone festivities will kick off on April 8, 2025, at the university’s Roma campus, with His Majesty King Letsie III, who serves as NUL’s Chancellor, presiding over the launch.
NUL’s journey began on April 8, 1945, when the Catholic University College was founded at Roma by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy of South Africa. Initially a modest institution, it offered post-matriculation education and religious instruction for African Catholic students from across the region.
Located 34 kilometers southeast of Maseru, Roma’s quiet valley provided an ideal setting for what would grow into Lesotho’s premier center of higher learning.
In 1964, the institution transformed into the University of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland (UBBS), reflecting a broader mission to serve the educational needs of three British protectorates, present-day Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini.
This shift cemented its role as a hub of regional collaboration, drawing students and faculty from across Southern Africa and fostering intellectual exchange during a time of colonial transition.
The university took its current form on October 20, 1975, when it was established as the National University of Lesotho under Act No. 13 of 1975, following Lesotho’s independence in 1966. This marked a new era, with NUL becoming the country’s flagship institution, tasked with educating a growing nation and building on the foundation laid by its predecessors.
Over 80 years, NUL has produced generations of graduates who have shaped Lesotho and beyond. Its alumni include prominent figures in politics, such as former Prime Ministers, as well as leaders in education, business, and public service. Globally, NUL graduates have contributed to academia, science, and development, amplifying the university’s influence far beyond Lesotho’s borders.
NUL has also emerged as a leader in research and innovation. In recent years, its materials science department has gained attention for breakthroughs using Lesotho’s natural resources, such as basalt rock and indigenous plants, to develop sustainable products like textiles and construction materials.
These efforts highlight the university’s role in addressing local challenges while contributing to global knowledge.
The year-long 80th-anniversary celebration will feature seminars, exhibitions, and events showcasing NUL’s history, achievements, and vision. The April 8 launch will set the tone, bringing together students, alumni, and dignitaries to reflect on eight decades of impact.
Beyond nostalgia, the milestone signals NUL’s ambition to expand its reach, with plans to bolster research funding and modernise facilities in the coming years.
In a country where access to higher education remains limited—Lesotho’s literacy rate hovers around 80 percent, but tertiary enrollment lags, NUL stands as a vital institution.
With roughly 9,000 students today, it remains the largest university in Lesotho, despite challenges like funding constraints and competition from regional institutions.
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