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Mangosuthu University of Technology Annual Report

40

National Skills Fund (NSF)

The National Skills Fund (NSF), through the Department of

Higher Education and Training, provided

R 22 536 318.40

as full bursaries for students who qualify under the NSF

Bursary Fund for Scarce and Critical Skills. Nine hundred

and twenty five (925) students were awarded full bursaries

under this bursary funding programme. This is a marked

improvement compared to 2014 where the amount

provided was

R 20 038 725.56

and 770 students were

funded. In 2015 the number of students assisted under

NSF for NatSkills increased by 16%.

Students with Disabilities

Fifty eight (58) students with disabilities were awarded

bursaries to cover their full costs of study including support

equipment where necessary. A total of

R 2 097 651.74

was spent on that bursary programme and the money

was made available by the National Student Financial Aid

Scheme (NSFAS).

Although our funding increases every year, the increase in

student fees and limited funding from the private sector

make the task of equitable distribution of funds among

students very difficult. The support from the private sector

is not enough. Our institution draws a large number of

students from historically disadvantaged communities

where parents are either unemployed or depend on the

government social grants. We would like to extend our

sincere gratitude to all our sponsors for their financial

support over the years.

5.9. Significant Developments and

Achievements at the Technology

Station in Chemicals (TSC)

Background about the Mut-TSC

The Technology Station in Chemicals at Mangosuthu

University of Technology (TSC) under the Technology

Stations Programme of the Technology Innovation

Agency (TIA), offers technological support and services

to industries involved or specialising in chemicals and

related operations. The scope of the TSC ranges from

SMEs to large industries and corporate establishments.

This is achieved through established relationships with

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including MUT,

students, through the TSC’s Internship programme,

scientists, and entrepreneurs who work to develop

new technological knowledge in chemical and related

disciplines. All operations are geared to encourage and

stimulate innovation amongst academics, students and

SMMEs and to develop and transfer technology thereby

participating in the economic welfare of the country. The

current priority market sectors are the following:

• Surfactants -Detergents and Disinfectants;

• Cosmetics;

• Water Management;

• Bio-Energy;

• Urban Agriculture; and

• SMME Training.

The MUT-TSC provides the following services to SMMES:

1.

Process Design and Optimisation Consulting

2.

Quality and Product Testing

3.

Demonstration and Training

4.

Technology Development and Transfer

Vision

To be the pre-eminent technology transfer support

centre that fosters socio economic advancement through

innovation, technology development and transfer.

Mission

The mission of the MUT-TSC is to contribute to sustainable

economic growth and social advancement in South Africa

by:

• Providing tailor-made technological services

and support to SMMEs and Cooperatives in the

chemicals and related industries; and

• Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation

by providing access to latest innovations and

technological developments to SMMEs and

cooperatives thereby enhancing innovation and

improving competitiveness and sustainability

amongst SMMEs and Cooperatives.

Contribution to Third Stream Income

The MUT-TSC is a self-sustaining technology development

and technology transfer centre within MUT.

During the year 2015/16 the MUT-TSC raised funds that

were utilised for its various projects, namely:

• SMMES and Cooperatives Technological support :

-

Technology Innovation Agency – R4 300 667

• WIL and skills development for Chemistry and

Chemical Engineering students:

-

Technology Innovation Agency – R490 050 for

internship (WIL)

• Bursaries to promote access to education for

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering students.

Bursaries for ND –Analytical Chemistry; ND

Chemical Engineering, BTech Chemistry and BTech

Chemical Engineering.

• Chemical Industries Sector Education and Training

Authority (CHIETA) – R900 000

• Development of SMMEs and Cooperatives in the