The vibrant Qwaqwa Campus in the picturesque Eastern Free State serves a rapidly growing number of rural students from the immediate area and surrounding provinces. The campus, incorporated on 1 January 2003, also has a number of international students completing their studies in the beautiful surroundings at the foot of the majestic Drakensberg.The campus has a strong focus on socio-economic development, informed by a rural context. Programmes, underpinned by a strong research agenda, focus on identifying the best possible strategies to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in this area. Another strong focus is the mountain research conducted in the Afromontane Research Unit (ARU), a continental leader in African mountain research. The ARU facilitates the development of a high-excellence African-based mountain research ‘community of practice’ that leads African mountain research from within Africa. The Qwaqwa Campus brings higher education, research, and community engagement to this area.