The Institute for Social Transformation and Regional Development or its abbreviation TRANSFORM was established after receiving approval from the University Senate Meeting. TRANSFORM was established on 30 December 2015. The establishment of TRANSFORM is in line with developments in universities abroad that focus on social transformation and regional development.

TRANSFORM was established to conduct research, consultancy and publication activities in the field of social transformation and regional development and to generate income for the university through contract research, consultancy and training programmes. The institute is also to create a network of expertise in the field of social transformation and regional development at the national and global levels in addition to offering short course and training programmes.

TRANSFORM can play a role in creating more balanced and holistic development by providing a "bottom-up" approach. Through this approach, development is seen as "collective learning" by involving all stakeholders in research and planning.