After a distinguished 15-year span that was characterised by leadership and a commitment to quality assurance, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) bids farewell to one of its most versatile stalwarts, Dr Lazarus Sentsho. Dr Sentsho, who served the Quality Management Directorate (QMD) with distinction, leaves behind a legacy of institutional reflection and growth, having navigated the Institutional Quality Audit (IQA) by the Council on Higher Education.
Reflecting on a decade and a half of service, Dr Sentsho’s career at MUT was defined by a steady climb through the ranks. While he began his journey as a Quality Assurance Officer, his expertise and steady hand led him to assume critical leadership roles, including serving as Acting Director in the directorate and the Acting Student Ombudsman.
For Dr Sentsho, these roles were catalysts for professional and personal evolution. “All these capacities made me grow and understand the workings of the University and the higher education sector in general,” Dr Sentsho noted. “They helped me refine and shape my philosophical understanding of management and leadership.”
Perhaps the most impactful chapter of his career was his time spent as the Student Ombudsman. Appointed from within the Quality Unit to fill this vital role, Dr Sentsho became the primary advocate for the student body. The role served as a critical conflict resolution mechanism, designed to complement existing University structures by placing student interests at the very heart of the Institution. Under his watch, the office provided a neutral ground where the “student voice” could be heard and acted upon, ensuring fairness and transparency in campus life.
When asked about the highlights of his 15-year stay, Dr Sentsho pointed to his involvement in the Quality Enhancement Project (Phases 1 and 2). His work in quality assurance ensured that MUT’s academic and administrative standards remained robust and competitive.
His departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the QMD and the University at large. Paying tribute to him, Professor Marcus Ramogale, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, said, “Dr Sentsho, we give you our best wishes as you move into a new environment, and I always say to colleagues who live MUT, remember Durban has a subtropical climate, which means it is greener than most parts of the country. If you go to another place and you find that it is not as green as you thought, you are welcome to come back to MUT, especially if you left on positive terms.”