FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mangosuthu University of Technology Staff Awarded Prestigious DAAD-DIES Fellowship to Strengthen Internationalisation Capacity
22 February 2026
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is delighted to announce the selection of three of its staff members – Ayanda Blose, Sthembile Maphumulo-Ndlovu, both Schools’ Liaison Officers; and Dr Melvin Mothoa, Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships Coordinator – for the highly competitive DAAD-DIES National Multiplication Trainings (NMT) Fellowship Programme.
This prestigious fellowship will see the three University participate in the “Building Bridges: Developing Internationalisation Skills for Professional Staff in Universities” training programme. This vital initiative is offered collaboratively by Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and Mangosuthu University of Technology, forming a key component of the broader DAAD-DIES (Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies) programme. Its core mission is to empower historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) to cultivate robust and sustainable internationalisation strategies.
The programme, which commenced with a virtual welcome on 29 January 2026, is specifically tailored to equip professional and administrative staff with essential tools to bolster and implement internationalisation efforts within their respective universities. It underscores the critical role that non-academic staff play in fostering global engagement, developing international partnerships, and enhancing institutional competitiveness on a global scale. The in-person workshops are scheduled for 4–6 March 2026, at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, with a culminating workshop at MUT from 2–4 September 2026.
Mbali Mkhize, a trainee for these programmes, and Senior Director: Department of Marketing and Communications, highlighted the anticipated impact: “For Ayanda Blose and Sthembile Maphumulo-Ndlovu, whose work directly connects MUT with schools across provinces and districts, this fellowship presents an invaluable opportunity to integrate internationalisation into recruitment, mobility awareness, and the development of future partnership pipelines. Their participation signifies a strategic move to embed global perspectives within the University’s outreach ecosystem.”
Dr Melvin Mothoa sees the programme as a catalyst for expanding research opportunities: “This platform will undoubtedly strengthen our research collaboration frameworks and broaden the horizons for postgraduate mobility and international partnerships, which are crucial for our academic advancement.”
The selection of these three staff members powerfully reaffirms MUT’s steadfast commitment to its IGNITE 2030 strategic goals. These include the expansion of international partnerships, the strengthening of institutional trust, and the enhancement of professional excellence across all university functions. This achievement also solidifies MUT’s growing prominence within global academic networks and its unwavering dedication to empowering its professional staff as drivers of transformative change.
“As MUT continues to build bridges locally and globally, the achievements of Blose, Maphumulo-Ndlovu, and Dr Mothoa serve as a powerful testament to our core values: a Yearning for Growth, Mastery in professional development, and an unwavering commitment to collaborative internationalisation,” concluded Mkhize.
About Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT): Mangosuthu University of Technology is a leading university of technology in South Africa, dedicated to providing quality education, conducting impactful research, and fostering community engagement. MUT is committed to innovation, excellence, and preparing students for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society.
About DAAD-DIES: The DIES (Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies) programme is jointly coordinated by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It aims to support higher education institutions in developing countries in building and strengthening their institutional management capacities.
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Kindly quote Mbali Mkhize: Senior Director: Department of Marketing and Communications
Bheki Hlophe
Media Relations and Publications Officer