In 1975, the Department of Nursing Science, now the Department of Health Studies, was established under the leadership of Professor Charlotte Searle. The aim was to meet the need of thousands of nurses for post-registration distance education at University level.
Prof S.M. Zuma
Chair of Department
Welcome to the Department of Health Studies
Established in 1975 under the pioneering leadership of Professor Charlotte Searle, the Department of Nursing Science, now the Department of Health Studies, was created to meet the pressing need for post-registration distance education for nurses at university level. From its inception, the Department sought to provide accessible, affordable, and flexible higher education to nurses who were unable to pursue traditional residential university studies.
Over the past five decades, the Department has grown into a key centre for strengthening health professional development through open distance education. Today, the department serve as a sub-chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, further strengthening links to global nursing leadership.
The Department is broadly invested in Africa’s healthcare challenges demand for innovation, re-evaluation of health systems, and the adoption of new philosophies and approaches in both education and practice. Central to this mission is the commitment to high-quality, relevant research that responds to the needs of health systems and communities.
The Department of Health Studies is well-positioned to meet these challenges and empower graduates to contribute meaningfully to addressing global health needs and transform health care for the betterment of society.
We welcome collaborations and strategic partnerships from across Africa
