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Professor Ramogale reminded graduates that they
were graduating a few days after the country’s Youth
Day holiday on June 16, which commemorates
the uprising of the youth of 1976 against apartheid
education. Professor Ramogale explained that just
like the youth of 1976, the Class of 2020 needed its
own legacy.
“I would like to challenge you as the Class of 2020,
receiving your qualifications under the lockdown. What
legacy are you going to carry beyond the lockdown?
However, my challenge to you is to think of yourself as
an employer. In that way, you will never go wanting,”
said Professor Ramogale.
Professor Ramogale, who has been the biggest
proponent of getting MUT students to consider
entrepreneurship, encouraged graduates to see
some of the problems caused by the coronavirus as
opportunities.
“The coronavirus has created many problems, but
has also opened new opportunities. Leverage these
opportunities, find solutions to the problems we are
faced with. In that way, you will find success. There
may be no jobs, but there is plenty of work if you see
work as the creation of solutions to existing problems,”
he said. He also highlighted the eight qualities
that graduates would need to become successful
entrepreneurs. These are: courage, perseverance,
tenacity, positive thinking, sound human relations,
willingness to take risks, curiosity and a problem-
solving attitude.
The MUT virtual graduation would have been
incomplete without the President of MUT Convocation,
Sandile Dlamini, formally welcoming the new
graduates to the MUT Convocation after the virtual
conferral of their qualifications.
Dlamini said: “I am very proud to share the excitement
of your graduation day. Although we are not able
to congregate at the Dr Pixley ka Seme Hall and
celebrate your achievement in person, it is with great
joy that I welcome you to the Mangosuthu University
of Technology Convocation family.”
The ceremonies ended on a celebratory note with
footage of the MUT Choir leading the last dance,
which has become synonymous with the joy that
graduation brings at MUT.
Graduation in numbers
Faculty
Diploma Advanced
Diploma
Bachelor of
Technology
Postgraduate
Diploma
Masters
Total
Engineering
785
-
24
-
-
809
Management
Sciences
1 053
170
31
25
-
1 279
Natural Sciences
323
61
49
15
3
451
Total
2 161
231
104
40
3
2 539
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards recognise top achievers virtually
The term ‘virtual’ has become a reality that everyone
has not only to adjust to, but to live with. ‘Virtual’
meetings! ‘Virtual’ public lectures! ‘Virtual’ trainings!
‘Virtual’ graduation! The latter has been in the minds of
many for the last three months or so, with institutions
being forced to conduct graduations online so their
students could receive their qualifications.
MUT was no exception to this new ‘rule’. One of the
highlights of the virtual graduation was the students
that performed exceptionally well in their last
examinations. Out of the 2 539 students that went
through this important rite of passage on 27 June
2020, three students received the Vice-Chancellor’s
Award for being the top students in each faculty.
Congratulations to this year’s awardees who have
done themselves, their families and MUT proud.