The Student Counselling Unit’s efforts to promote an inclusive, enabling support environment for students with disabilities (SWD) are gaining momentum through a Disability Capacity-Building Partnership between MUT and the University of Cape Town (UCT). Through this externally donor-funded project, MUT aims to lay the foundation for a sustainable and well-integrated disability support system that enhances accessibility and inclusion for all students. Dr Paulette Naidoo, Director of Student Counselling, said two focal disability project officers have been contracted for capacity building, training, and services to support students with disabilities at MUT. “Upon completion of the training, the focal individuals will transfer the acquired skills and knowledge to relevant staff members and students at MUT. This process ensures that the competencies gained are effectively integrated into institutional systems for the sustained support of students with disabilities,” said Dr Naidoo.
Another “exciting element” of the project is the site visits to MUT, UCT, University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Stellenbosch University (SU). The MUT site visit, conducted on 22 and 23 May 2025, entailed physical assessments of the University’s existing infrastructure and facilities to enhance compliance with universal access and design principles. Dr Naidoo is of the view that site visits to other institutions with established disability support units will provide the MUT delegation with an opportunity to view and apply disability support resources and best practices to the MUT context.
Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, congratulated Dr Naidoo for this milestone achievement in advancing the rights of students with disabilities at MUT and pledged her full support for the project. Professor Sibiya also emphasised that accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities have always been one of her key priority areas for transformation at MUT. Professor Sibiya expressed delight at the accelerated progress that was being made in this area, particularly through the MUT-UCT project partnership.