The University of South Africa (Unisa) has acquired a 20-hectare airport in a move that marks a major first on the continent.

Unisa said the airport will be used as a training and research facility for students. The development positions the institution as the first African university to acquire an airport for this purpose.

The move is a big step for higher education in South Africa. It also signals a stronger push towards practical learning in fields where technical skills matter most.

Hands-On Training for Future Professionals

Unisa said the new airport facility will help bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Professor Boitumelo Senokoane, Executive Director in the university’s Department of Institutional Advancement, said the airport will give students a chance to apply what they study in real-world settings. He said this will help them build skills that are in high demand in the aviation and engineering sectors.

Senokoane also said the acquisition reflects Unisa’s focus on innovation, practical education, governance and institutional integrity.

For students, that means more direct exposure to the kind of environment they may one day work in. For the university, it strengthens its role in producing graduates with industry-ready experience.

Unisa Highlights Broader Academic Gains

Unisa reported that it has graduated more than 50,000 students each year. In 2025 alone, the university said it graduated more than 60,000 students and produced more than 550 doctoral outputs.

The institution also recognised more than 10,800 graduates who were unable to graduate during the Covid-19 period. These students were later honoured through special graduation ceremonies.

The airport acquisition now adds another headline-making achievement to Unisa’s recent record. It is not just a symbolic win. It could reshape how aviation and engineering students are trained in South Africa and across the continent.