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The newly appointed Director of Quality Management at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), Dr Phiwayinkosi Gumede, marked his first major institutional engagement by facilitating a two-day strategic workshop focused on strengthening the University’s quality improvement agenda. Held on 25 and 26 February 2026 at the Maharani Hotel, Durban, the workshop brought together senior and middle management to review departmental submissions outlining their progress with implementing activities on the MUT’s Institutional Improvement Plan (IIP). The engagement formed part of the University’s preparation of a comprehensive progress report to be submitted to the Council on Higher Education (CHE) on 31 March 2026 for monitoring purposes. Convened on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, Professor Marcus Ramogale, the workshop underscored MUT’s commitment to institutional accountability and continuous improvement. Opening the session, Professor Ramogale reflected on the origins of the Institutional Improvement Plan. “The implementation of the Institutional Improvement Plan follows the

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

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is officially levelling up its campus wellness game. On 4 March 2026, the University will host the grand opening of its brand-new gymnasium at the Student Centre, Level -2. The ceremony, scheduled for 10 am, will feature a ribbon-cutting event and a brief opening address. To maintain an intimate and focused environment, the guest list is limited to 50 attendees, including Executive Management, the Dean of Student Affairs, Student Affairs Department Heads, the SRC, and the Sport Union. Students and staff won’t have to wait to start their fitness journeys; the facility will be open for use immediately following the launch. Initially, the gym will accommodate 50 members at a time. However, University officials have noted that this capacity is expected to increase once the spinning studio becomes fully operational. The gym is available to both students and staff through a tiered subscription model. Whether

Today, 27 February 2026, MUT’s Bozzoli Hall is buzzing with energy as Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) hosts the ‘My MUT My FYE’ Expo organised by the Learning and Teaching Development Centre (LTDC). The event is a strategic move to transition first-year students from passive learners to proactive architects of their own academic success. Arthi Ramrung, a Lecturer at the LTDC, emphasised that the expo’s interactive format was a deliberate departure from traditional seminars. “Rather than having talks, we feel students need the space to engage and ask questions and become more proactive,” Ramrung stated. “We are building a sense of belonging that gets students ready for their academic journey.” The First Year Experience (FYE) team is focusing on “holistic support,” recognising that academic achievement is inextricably linked to physical and mental well-being. By centralising academic, health, wellness, and technological resources into one space, the University aims to give students

As the University embarks on the ambitious Ignite 2030 phase, the Directorate of Institutional Planning and Research (DIPR) has officially launched the Data Forge Series. This practical capacity-building initiative is designed to transform the Institution’s raw data into a powerhouse of actionable insights, ensuring that every decision made across the University is backed by evidence. The introduction of the series comes at a critical stage. With the University entering a new cycle of the Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP) and the Student Enrolment and Efficiency Plan (SEEP), the demand for precision has never been higher. Tebello Mofokeng, Deputy Director: Management Information, at DIPR, emphasises that accuracy is the bedrock of this transition. “There is an increased demand for accurate, integrated, and timely data to inform decision-making, monitor progress, and strengthen performance,” Mofokeng stated. “The series supports a shift from descriptive reporting to impact-focused assessment.” The Data Forge Series is about a

At a time when many organisations are transitioning to fully digital platforms, the strong demand for printed institutional calendars at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) has sent a powerful message about brand loyalty and institutional pride. Bheki Hlophe, custodian of the MUT brand, expressed heartfelt appreciation after witnessing an overwhelming response from staff who came in large numbers to collect their 2026-branded calendars. “I first need to express my appreciation that MUT staff believe in the MUT brand,” said Hlophe. “I saw their loyalty in action when at least 500 calendars were collected in a single day. That level of uptake speaks volumes.” For Hlophe, the moment was about more than distribution figures — it was about connection. As the University’s brand guardian, he views each branded item as a symbol of shared identity and institutional pride. “As the custodian of the MUT brand, it heartens me to see that

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is celebrating a significant milestone in its journey toward global excellence as three staff members were selected for the prestigious DAAD-DIES National Multiplication Trainings (NMT) Fellowship Programme. Ayanda Blose and Sthembile Maphumulo-Ndlovu, both Schools’ Liaison Officers, along with Dr Melvin Mothoa, Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships Coordinator at the Research directorate, have been accepted into the specialised training programme: “Building Bridges: Developing Internationalisation Skills for Professional Staff in Universities.” The initiative is a collaborative effort between Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and MUT. Operating under the DAAD-DIES (Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies) banner, the programme focuses on empowering historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) to build sustainable internationalisation frameworks. Unlike traditional academic fellowships, this programme recognises that administrative and professional staff are the “engine room” of global engagement. It provides practical tools to manage international partnerships, enhance student mobility, and boost institutional competitiveness on the world stage.

In a significant move toward fostering a healthier campus environment, the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Clinic has launched a collaborative healthcare initiative with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (eThekwini District). This partnership, running from 16–20 February 2026, aligns directly with the University’s newly unveiled Strategic Plan 2026–2030. A core pillar of this plan is the commitment to providing an “enabling environment” for both staff and students, recognising that academic success is inextricably linked to physical and mental well-being. The week-long activation focuses on high-impact preventative care and immediate health interventions. The Clinic’s Sister Khanyisile Gasa emphasised that the collaboration is designed to bring critical services directly to the student population. The comprehensive suite of services currently available includes HIV Testing, encouraging regular status checks in a supportive environment; contraceptives, which include the distribution of condoms; and TB Screening and testing. This is vital for maintaining public health within high-density

For many students at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), the path to a degree is paved with more than just academic challenges; it is often a battle against necessity. On 23 February 2026, the University will take a decisive step to ensure that hunger does not hinder that journey, as it prepares to issue the first round of food parcels for the new academic year. The distribution will take place at the campus pantry, located near the iconic Seme Hall, a site where hundreds of students will soon gather to receive essential nutritional support. The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are students who fall outside the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) safety net. Without government funding to cover daily living expenses, these students often face the “silent crisis” of food insecurity. At the heart of the operation is a face well-known to the campus community: Bhekumuzi Mtshali. As a

While September may seem distant, the Department of Marketing and Communications is already in high gear, initiating unusually early planning for its annual Empowered Administrators Conference (EAC). The decision stems from the ambition to deliver a uniquely packed and interactive programme for the 2026 event. In a strategic two-day lekgotla that concluded on 18 February 2026, the department collaborated with Sandile Mahlaba of Microsoft to explore innovative ways to frame the conference. The central theme of the discussion was the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to elevate the event beyond its traditional format. Mahlaba detailed how AI, once regarded as an “enemy,” could be harnessed to enhance the entire conference experience. He emphasised a fundamental shift in the event’s structure, advising that the 2026 programme should be delegate-centric. “The delegates are at the centre; they must be the ones who should deliver, not the presenters,” Mahlaba stated. He proposed a