University was legally established in 1993 by the merger of existing institutions of higher learning while it became operational in 1996.

Opened in 1996, the university has brought together nine campuses across the city.

The institution was created by Law 93-060 of September 1993, but did not launch until November 1996.

Professor Ginette B. Siby is Recteur, the chief executive officer of the university.

As of 2007, the university is divided into five faculties and two institutes: The Science and Technology faculty (Faculté des sciences et techniques or FAST), The Medical faculty (Faculté de Médecine, de Pharmacie et d’Odento-Stamologie or FMPOS), the Humanities, Arts, and Social Science faculty (Faculté des Lettres, Langues, Arts et Sciences Humaines or FLASH), the Law and Public Service faculty (Faculté des Sciences Juridiques et Politiques FSJP), the Science of Economy and Management Faculty ("Faculté des Sciences Economiques et de Gestion" or FSEG, the Institute of Management ( "Institut Universitaire de Management" or IUG), and the Higher Training and Applied Research ("Institut Supérieur de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée" or ISFRA).