In a clear demonstration of business continuity and institutional focus, the Directorate of Institutional Planning and Research (DIPR), led by Dr Liile Lekena-Bayaga, has officially set the tone for the 2025 Annual Report process.
Anchored in its core mandate, namely institutional planning and strategy support, performance monitoring and reporting, data analysis and institutional research, and ensuring compliance with Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) reporting requirements, DIPR convened a strategic engagement meeting with senior management to initiate reflections on departmental contributions to the 2025 Annual Report. The Annual Report is a mandatory submission to the DHET and a critical accountability instrument for the University.
The meeting provided a platform for early alignment, with various departments offering thoughtful, insightful input on how their work would be articulated within the reporting framework. The collegial nature of the engagement fostered shared ownership of the process and reinforced the importance of integrated and consistent reporting across the Institution.
Beyond its technical focus, the meeting served as a timely reminder that the University’s core business must continue steadily and purposefully regardless of external pressures. Delegates, including DIPR staff and senior directors, commended the directorate for its proactive approach, noting that the initiative provided much-needed guidance and clarity, while setting a strong foundation for coherent, credible, and compliant reporting.
Through this early start, DIPR reaffirmed its central role in supporting evidence-based planning, accountability, and strategic decision-making at Mangosuthu University of Technology.