teknikon

Te

knikon is a term with multiple uses across languages and contexts. In classical Greek, τεχνικόν (technikon) is the neuter form of τεχνικός, meaning technical or pertaining to technique, craft, or art. In modern usage, teknikon or technikon appears as a root or transliteration in words for technology and technical matters, and may occur in proper names or branding.

In South Africa, the term Technikon was used in the names of several technical higher education institutions. Examples included Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon, Technikon Natal, Port Elizabeth Technikon, and Technikon Witwatersrand. In the early 2000s, most Technikon institutions were merged into larger Universities of Technology, forming Cape Peninsula University of Technology (from Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon), Durban University of Technology (from Technikon Natal and Durban Institute of Technology), Tshwane University of Technology (from Pretoria Technikon and related campuses), Nelson Mandela University (from the University of Port Elizabeth and Port Elizabeth Technikon), and the University of Johannesburg (from Rand Afrikaans University and Technikon Witwatersrand).

Today, teknikon is primarily encountered as a historical or linguistic term. In contemporary English, the words technical and technology are standard, while teknikon remains in use mainly in specific linguistic contexts or as part of institutional names in legacy contexts.