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Joseph Kapuku Bwapwa,
from the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, has a
PhD from UKZN.
Michael Mwitwa Shapi,
from Zambia, has a PhD
from the University of
Helsinki, Finland.
Professor Babatunde Femi
Bakare, from the Republic
of Nigeria, has a PhD from
UKZN.
Chiemela Onunka, middle, from the
Republic of Nigeria, has a PhD from
UKZN
Hloniphani Ndebele, from
Zimbabwe, has a PhD from
UKZN.
Bethel Mutanga, from
Zimbabwe, has a PhD from
the University of Zululand.
Farai Murungu, from
Zimbabwe, has a PhD
from the University of Fort
Hare.
Professor Georgina Arthur,
from Ghana, has a PhD
from UKZN
u
Chrispin Mulangu, from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, has a PhD from UKZN.
u
Pappy Numbi, from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, has a PhD from the University of Pretoria.
The University that started off from very humble
beginnings – 15 students in 1979, all males – has
since produced more than 40 000 graduates. Although
Mangosuthu University of Technology was a Technicon
when it was founded by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
40 years ago, it soon took on international flavour when
it was joined by academics from outside South Africa.
David Atta from Ghana was one of the first international
academics to be part of the set-up. David spent
most of his adult life at the institution, working in the
Department of Chemical Engineering. He and others
were to be joined by many other internationals in time.
International academics make a telling mark in MUT’s
academic progression
Their role has been immense, and some of them have
won awards. What is most pleasing about them is that
they are very forward-looking individuals, and some
are found in labs, studying or teaching, even during
the weekends. Most joined the University either with a
Master’s degree, or were working towards one. Most
have gone on to obtain PhDs (doctorates) from local
universities. The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
is one of the local institutions where most of these
internationals graduate.
Meet some of the 35 international academics that are currently employed by
the University: