News

At least two of the University’s academic deans gave strong support to the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s research initiatives, which Professor Rushiella Songca rolled out to MUT researchers on 14 April 2026 at the Student Centre. The research initiatives are part of Professor Songca’s 100 Day Plan. Professor Songca joined the University on 2 March 2026. The Dean of the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, Professor Alfred Msomi, outlined his faculty’s research plans, which aim to advance research to the next level. He reported on his faculty efforts, including a research task team coordinating high-level research programmes, a PhD symposium, and regular research-writing sessions to support staff in pursuing doctorates and academic careers. He also emphasised that any equipment, laboratories, and instruments obtained by researchers were to be treated as university resources to be shared. The Faculty of Engineering Dean, Dr Richard Chidzonga, also outlined his faculty’s plans to

The Research Office shared its bold direction for institutional growth, placing commercialisation, innovation, and global competitiveness at the centre of the University’s research agenda. The presentation was delivered during a recent engagement session led by Professor Rushiella Songca, in which the Research Office outlined its ongoing efforts to increase research output and transform how knowledge is produced and applied. At the heart of this shift is a move away from traditional academic models toward high-impact, market-responsive research. Leading this drive is Dr Mandla Hlongwane, Deputy Director of Technology Transfer, who addressed researchers on 14 April 2026. Dr Hlongwane emphasised the urgent need to translate intellectual property into viable enterprises, urging academics to rethink the purpose of research. “Research should not merely exist in journals,” he noted, highlighting the importance of assessing both novelty and market potential. To support this transformation, the Research Directorate has introduced a structured commercialisation pipeline. This

The University has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its research capacity, with the Director of the Research Directorate, Dr Anette Mienie, unveiling a comprehensive funding strategy to support both emerging and established scholars. Addressing researchers and staff on 14 April 2026, Dr Mienie outlined a multi-stream funding roadmap designed to expand the Institution’s academic footprint and enable high-impact research. Her address echoed the broader vision articulated earlier by Professor Rushiella Songca, reinforcing a unified institutional commitment to research excellence and innovation. Central to the strategy is a dual-stream funding model that draws on both internal and external resources. “There are two sources of funding, internal and external,” Dr Mienie emphasised, highlighting the importance of leveraging diverse funding opportunities to sustain and grow the University’s research output. The approach is intended to provide a supportive financial ecosystem that caters to researchers at different stages of their careers—offering foundational support for

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is set to celebrate the academic milestones of over 3,000 students at its annual graduation ceremony, taking place from 21 to 23 April 2026, at the iconic Seme Hall on the main campus. The three-day event will see students awarded a wide range of qualifications, including Diplomas, Post-Graduate Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Advanced Diplomas, and Master’s degrees. The Faculty of Management Sciences leads the cohort with 1,557 graduates, followed by the Faculty of Engineering, which will graduate 1,090 students. The Faculty of Applied Sciences will conclude the celebrations on the final day, conferring qualifications upon 500 students. A particular highlight of this year’s ceremony comes from the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences. While graduating a smaller cohort overall, the faculty will confer 73 highly specialised degree qualifications. This includes two Master’s degrees in Nature Conservation and 71 degrees in Medical Laboratory Sciences, a critical qualification

The countdown to the 2026 graduation season has officially begun. From 21 to 23 April 2026, the University’s Seme Hall will transform into a hub of celebration as more than 3 000 students prepare to cross the stage and receive their hard-earned qualifications. The students began collecting their graduation tickets as early as 14 April 2025. For many, this ceremony represents the culmination of years of sacrifice and persistence. Some of these students will be the first ones in their families to graduate from a university. Among those preparing for the milestone is Thabani Dlamini, who travelled from Mtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal to finalise his preparations. Dlamini, who will receive his Diploma in Marketing, reflected on the hurdles he faced during his studies. “It was not easy; there were lots of obstacles,” Dlamini shared. “Fortunately, I was able to overcome them.” Dlamini is the first in his family to graduate from

To ensure digital fluency, staff and students from Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) attended a high-intensity, five-day masterclass in Data Analysis and Visualization. Held from 13 to 17 April 2026, the virtual programme was delivered by the Big Data Technology Company, a premier Chinese organisation at the forefront of global data solutions. Close to 70 students from the Department of Information Communication Technology (ICT) at MUT were prominent among the 1,000 attendees from China, Russia, South Africa, Zambia, and Kazakhstan. Other students and lecturers from MUT came from other departments, such as the Department of Office Technology and Nature Conservation. Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, said, “With different time zones and a different platform (Zoom) other than Microsoft Teams, we needed to ensure that everyone was able to participate. We are grateful to the Head of ICT department, Dr Vikash Jugoo, Xolisa Piyose, a lecturer in the department,

On 16 April 2026, Gift of the Givers delivered its third round of food parcels this year to students in need, arriving just ahead of the University’s graduation period. Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director: Department of Marketing and Communications, said, “The timing of the delivery is significant. While many students are preparing to celebrate their academic achievements, others face financial constraints that make this period difficult. Some beneficiaries are graduating, or have family members graduating and may not have the means to fully participate in the associated celebrations.” The food parcels provide practical support to those faced with financial strain. For these students, the intervention helps ease immediate pressures, and allows them to focus on an important milestone in their academic journey. This latest distribution is a continuation of an ongoing effort to support vulnerable students, reflecting the University’s sustained commitment to student welfare during critical moments in the academic calendar.