Big new university campus in Sandton
Two of South Africa’s largest listed education groups, ADvTECH and STADIO, will open new campuses in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
On Tuesday, 1 October 2024, the ADvTECH Group announced that it had acquired a prime Sandton location where it will create a new university campus.
ADvTECH said it will build the campus after concluding an agreement to purchase a former training and conference centre from FNB.
The company explained that it aligns with its strategy and its journey to get full university accreditation in South Africa.
The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton and Vega Bordeaux will relocate to the new campus in time for the start of the 2026 academic year.
“The acquisition has received Competition Commission approval and will result in a R419 million capital investment over the next two years,” it said.
ADvTECH CEO Geoff Whyte said they were delighted to have secured a location in the heart of Sandton to co-locate and expand two of their biggest tertiary brands.
“The 47,000 square meter property is easily accessible and will double student capacity from the current Varsity College and Vega campuses to 9,000 students,” it said.
ADvTECH said significant investment will be made in renovating and expanding the existing facility, including the development of additional lecture facilities and a new sports centre.
The new facility will complement ADvTECH’s eight tertiary brands across 33 campuses. It offers qualifications ranging from skills development to PhD.
The new ADvTECH Sandton campus will offer undergraduate to postgraduate qualifications through Varsity College and Vega.
Not to be outdone, ADvTECH competitor STADIO Higher Education is building a new campus in Durbanville, Cape Town.
STADIO said construction of the Durbanville campus would be funded 50% through long-term debt and 50% through cash reserves.
The new build will increase the number of STADIO’s physical campuses to seven, with the group also having structures in Bellville, Musgrave, Randburg, Hatfield, and Waterfall.
