Formerly one of the Agostinho Neto University campuses, it was separated in the process of reforms to Angolan higher education that took place in 2008 and 2009.
The university honors José Eduardo Van Dunén dos Santos, the anti-colonial leader who became Angola's third president, as well as the country's longest-serving head of state.
In 1966, the "Delegation of General Studies of Angola in Nova Lisboa" was installed in Huambo, offering university courses in veterinary medicine, agronomy and forestry.
[4] In 1980, the campus is transformed into the Higher Institute of Education Science (ISCED) in Huambo, by decree nº 95 of 30 August of the Council of Ministers.
[4] By presidential decree 285, of 29 October 2020 — which reorganizes the Network of Public Higher Education Institutions of Angola (RIPES) — the Cuíto and Luena campuses, previously linked to UJES, became autonomous.