On Friday, 12 September 2025, Dr Xolile Ngubane, the senior director in the Office of the Vice Chancellor, delivered a keynote address outlining the university’s envisioned Transformation Agenda during the senior management Lekgotla. Her address served as a critical assessment of the institution’s journey toward transformation, setting the stage for a comprehensive plan to navigate the path ahead.
Dr Ngubane began by reflecting on the progress on transformation made thus far, acknowledging the contributions of Professor Marcus Ramogale, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning. She paid tribute to the Senate Colloquium on Transformation, which took place in June, an event that laid the groundwork for many initiatives aimed at reshaping the curriculum. Among these initiatives was the development of the Academic Identity Document, which has become a foundational element in MUT’s transformation efforts. This document emphasises essential skills such as communication, computer literacy, applied learning, and entrepreneurship—skills that are increasingly vital in today’s evolving educational landscape.
As the new custodian of transformation at MUT, Dr Ngubane highlighted important strides made in fostering entrepreneurship and many other initiatives introduced to cultivate innovative thinking and practical skills among students. The establishment of a new campus, Enduduzweni, represents another cornerstone of MUT’s forward momentum. Dr Ngubane articulated her vision for solidifying the university’s commitment to change by proposing the development of a Transformation Charter or an Institutional Transformation Plan (ITP) to be submitted for Council approval before the end of the year. She emphasised that once this plan is formulated, it would be crucial to cascade the strategic objectives outlined in the ITP to all levels of the university, prompting the creation of faculty and departmental plans that align with this overarching vision.
While Dr Ngubane’s approach seeks to cultivate a cohesive pathway toward institutional transformation, she acknowledges the importance of reflecting on past institutional audits and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) reports. By analysing these documents, the university can gain valuable insights into its journey thus far, which will inform future strategies for transformation. Central to her vision is the belief that transformation belongs to everyone within the university community. She called for collaboration and collective determination to create an inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking educational environment. The discussions surrounding the Transformation Agenda made it clear that at the heart of this initiative lies a commitment to nurturing an MUT community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on society. Through her address, Dr Ngubane painted a compelling picture of transformation at MUT—one that transcends mere policy changes and documents.