The roots of the University of Khartoum (U of K) go back to 1898 when Lord Kitchener of Khartoum proposed founding a college in memory of General Gordon.

The new college, named the Gordon Memorial College, was of cially opened in 1902. A secondary stratum was added in 1905 for the purpose of training assistant engineers. In 1924, the College developed into a vocational secondary school concentrating on teaching the following dis- ciplines: Sharia, Engineering, Teachers’ Training, Clerical Work, Accounting and Science.

In the same year Kitchener School of Medicine was established. The year 1936 witnessed the beginning of higher education in the Sudan with the establishment of the School of Law. By 1940 the College included schools of Agriculture, Arts, Law, Science, Engineer- ing and Veterinary Science. Each School was attached to the government department in which the graduates would be expected to work.

In January 1945, all these schools were brought under one administration in a special arrangement with the University of London. The College was upgraded in 1951 to become Khartoum University College. In the same year Kitchener School of Medicine was incor- porated in the University College.

The University of London set the examinations and awarded the degrees. The outstanding students were awarded bachelor degrees from the University of London and the rest obtained the College diplomas. The present University of Khartoum is the result of the natural transformation of the University College of Khar- toum when the country became independent in 1956.

The bill giving full University status to the College was passed by Parliament on 24th July 1956, since then, the University witnessed considerable expansion.