Origins The origins of UWIST begin with Schools of Science and Art which was established in 1866 by Cardiff Borough Council to run classes aimed at working people, classes took place at Cardiff Free Library. Between 1900 and 1907 the School was run by the
University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire with Viriamu Jones acting as Principal of the Technical School. Control then reverted to Cardiff Borough Council and a new home
Bute Building was opened in 1916 to house the City of Cardiff Technical School.
College of advanced technology In 1956 following the publication of a government white paper on technical education, the UK government announced the creation of 10 colleges of advanced technology which would provide advanced work. The Cardiff College of Technology was converted to the Welsh College of Advanced Technology in 1957. Further structural changes occurred and on 1 April 1962 the college became an autonomous institution from the Cardiff Borough Council. The college of advanced technology was granted a
royal charter as the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology on 13 November 1967, and became a constituent member of the
University of Wales. The charter was presented by the
Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor of the University of Wales, to the Principal of UWIST at a special congregation of the university held on 19 April 1968.
Merger Discussions on the merger of UWIST with University College Cardiff began in the early 1980s. A joint consultative committee chaired by Professor D.G.T. Williams was formed. The merger occurred in 1988 to form the University of Wales College of Cardiff. == Governance ==