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Mangosuthu University of Technology Annual Report

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5.2.5.Race Profile

The University student population maintained a 100% (target: 99%) African representation as presented in Figure 5.6.

Figure 5.6: The MUT Student race profile.

5.3 Significant Academic Developments

in Faculties

5.3.1. Faculty of Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering continued to address the skills

shortage in the country by developing new programmes

that directly address the skills needs identified by the

government through programmes like the Strategic

Integrated Projects (SIPs). In this regard, the Department

of Electrical Engineering rolled out a suite of specialisation

areas in the Electrical Engineering programme that are

hoped to contribute positively in capacity building in the

country. These specialisation areas were communicated

extensively to all stakeholders, which include industry

through its membership in the Industry Advisory

Committee, and to students through an information-

sharing roadshow. The areas of specialisation that are now

open to our students are Process Automation and Control,

Electronics and Telecommunication, Power Systems

Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Computer Engineering,

Marine Electronics Communication, Renewable Energy

Engineering, and Mechatronic Engineering.

The proposed Higher Certificate in Electrical Engineering

and Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering await

endorsement by the Engineering Council of South Africa

before they can be considered for PQM clearance by

the Department of Higher Education. The Advanced

Diploma in Electrical Engineering will have specialisations

in Process Automation and Control, Electronics and

Telecommunication, and Power Systems Engineering.

Instruction

The mode of delivery for most of the subjects in the

Faculty is through a careful combination of contact

learning and e-learning platforms. Certain lecture venues

have been converted to be compatible with the e-learning

mode and to facilitate the incorporation of Learning

Management Systems, like the Blackboard System. To

further enhance this advancement, all simulation and

modelling laboratories were equipped with computer-

based audio-visual equipment. Industrial site visits

added the necessary real-life experience for students in

engineering to link what they learn in class and simulate in

the laboratories to real life industry applications.

Limitations on Access to Certain Courses

Overfull classes posed a serious problem to the quality of

teaching and learning where, in other instances, students

were forced to attend lectures sitting on the floor. This

has been brought to the attention of the Directorate for

Institutional Planning and Research, and will be hopefully

be addressed in due course. Serious limitations were

0

1 000

2 000

3 000

4 000

5 000

6 000

Female

Male

African

Coloured

Indian

White

5 040

5 299

10

10

4

5

15

2