In the late 1950s in South Africa, military units were attached to each large university.

[1] The concept was for long term students to complete their obligatory military training in these units.

The regiment was a part-time unit and was mobilised in limited amounts for the Border War from 1976 to 1979.

In 1981 elements of the regiment provided artillery support for Operation Protea.

Further changes in national service policy resulted in most university students being posted to urban commandos, making it clear the Regiment could no longer remain as constituted.