The Metallurgical Engineering part of the School was one of the founding departments (together with the Schools of Mining Engineering and Geosciences) of the University when it was first established as the Kimberley School of Mines in 1896.
Chemical Engineering teaching and research commenced at the University shortly after its inception as the University of the Witwatersrand in 1922.
Both departments in the School have a long and proud history of producing leaders in the local industry in their various disciplines, and providing the local economy with highly skilled and sought after engineers.