In yet another accomplishment for MUT, the University will be significantly represented at the SASUF Research and Innovation Week 2023, which will take place from 27-31 March. Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagements, who is leading research from the front, will also be presenting with her Durban University of Technology (DUT) counterparts, as well as counterparts from Sweden.
The research collaboration and partnership between Sweden and South Africa have resulted in MUT having 10 delegates that will be presenting with their Swedish counterparts.
“Eight months ago, MUT did not know anything about SASUF. Various engagements and campaigns positioned SASUF to MUT with the arrival of Professor Sibiya being a cherry on top. She has been encouraging researchers to put together proposals and helping them access resources so they could attend this conference. While we ran campaigns and got everyone to rally behind the ‘SASUF Goes Digital’ conference, Professor Sibiya provided leadership on how this could be sustained,” said Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director: Marketing and Communications.
“I am grateful that we have someone at the level of DVC taking ownership of this project. Next year we will have more representations, I believe, when we take SASUF to Sweden,” added Mkhize.
The 10 MUT presenters are Professor Sibiya, Professor Busisiwe Nkonki-Mandleni, Dr Arthi Ramrung, Xolile Ngubane, Dr Xolile Mkhize, Dr Thobeka Makhathini, Mbali Mkhize, Zama Sishi, Awonke Mbanga and Dr Yvonne Mvuyana. All these MUT staff members have South African and Swedish partners.
Professor Sibiya said: “I am still in awe at the level of cooperation I have received, not only from the presenters who worked tirelessly finding partners and submitting abstracts to get approved as speakers, but also from the teaching and learning division that has seen it fit to provide support to their staff. I believe that next year we will have more papers approved for the conference taking place in Sweden. I wish to also pay special tribute to executive management that has supported the team that is attending the conference.”