In celebration of Mandela Month, the Directorate of Institutional Planning and Reporting (DIPR) hosted an “insightful” information-sharing webinar. The event, which took place on 22 July 2025, highlighted the critical role of data in shaping MUT’s strategic direction, and community impact. Ayanda Princess Nongogo, Director: Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER), said the session showcased DIPR’s contributions to the CEAD initiative, and emphasized the importance of data literacy, strategic planning, and institutional coherence.
The webinar provided a comprehensive overview of DIPR’s mandate, including strategic planning, statutory reporting, HEMIS data reporting, and data analytics. Nongogo also said the session emphasized how data informs decision-making, enhances student success, and supports MUT’s transformation agenda. DIPR emphasized the importance of the HEMIS data system in securing funding and ensuring compliance, while also advocating for a culture of evidence-based reporting and collaborative governance, said Nongogo.
According to Nongogo, “in alignment with Nelson Mandela’s ethos of service and community upliftment, DIPR’s presentation underscored the power of data to drive development and foster accountability”. The webinar appealed to staff “to actively engage in strategic processes, support data quality initiatives, and participate in upcoming capacity-building roadshows”.
As MUT continues to shape and own its future, the DIPR team reaffirmed their commitment to cultivating a data-literate, digitally agile, and transformation-focused University community, starting with a series of targeted reporting and data roadshows designed to empower staff and strengthen institutional decision-making.