I-Week delegates meet in Umlazi for further discussions
MUT I-Week delegates from the University of the Free State, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, and MUT staff met the MUT Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Marcus Ramogale at Umlazi’s famous Max’s Lifestyle on the last day of gathering. This was a response to a presentation by Mr Andile Wafa, who encouraged a need for MUT to enhance the Township economy and was appreciated by the delegates.
Professor Ramogale informed all of them of the University’s latest developments, which included plans for the future. Professor Ramogale said they had created an Institutional Advancement office because “we want to do more”.
Professor Ramogale said the success of the second International Week has made the university to seriously consider making the conference an annual activity in the university calendar.
“We will invite people to talk about international relations,” he said.
He explained that his vision of MUT was that of an institution at the centre of connecting nations. This envisaged position was supported by the Registrar, Dr Phumzile Masala, and the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Dr Manyane Makua. Dr Masala said the type of collaboration Professor Ramogale was talking about would go a long way in positioning the institution as a destination of choice for both local and international students.
Dr Makua highlighted the importance of partnerships, a point that was made by several speakers at the I-Week. Dr Makua said partnerships needed people who thought alike and have the same goals.
“Corporations are made up of people who have these qualities. They pull together their resources. Malls are built by people with like minds, which is why they are wealthy. You will never be wealthy if you work alone,” said Dr Makua.
Dr Makua added that the reason for most people’s failures is that they work in silos. He encouraged various institutions to work together to achieve more.
Dr Makua recently led a MUT delegation to France; MUT signed MoUs with two French institutions as a result of this visit.