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Mangosuthu University of Technology Annual Report

34

Figure 5.11 below shows an overall increase in Graduation Rates from 20% in 2013 to 22% in 2015. Graduation Rates in

the Faculty of Engineering remained below the institution’s rate at 17% from 2013 through 2015.

Figure 5.11: Graduation Rates by Faculty

5.5 Significant Developments And

Achievements In Community

Engagement

Background

At Mangosuthu University of Technology, Community

Engagement (CE) encompasses all planned activities

that the University and the community engage in for the

benefit of both entities, with the aim of improving the

socio-economic conditions of the targeted communities

as well as presenting opportunities for the University to

enhance its teaching, learning and research capacities.

A community is defined as any external interest group

that could potentially participate in the community

engagement activities of the institution.

Community

Engagement

has

four

interlinked

components, namely, Community Outreach, Community

Based Research, Student Volunteerism and Community

Development. The Institute for Rural Development and

Community Engagement (IRDCE) is responsible for co-

ordinating all planned CE projects guided by the MUT

Community Engagement Conceptual Framework.

The goal of CE is to contribute towards the socio-

economic advancement of the previously disadvantaged

communities. The objectives are to implement and

coordinate community engagement activities according

to the CE framework as well as integrate community

engagement into teaching and learning and applied

research.

Community Outreach

During the first semester of 2015, twenty educators

from Isidingo, Ndongeni, Zimisele, Saw Pits, Mgada and

Sibambane Zulu schools received free Basic Computer

Literacy training with assistance from lecturers and

student volunteers the Departments of Information and

Communication Technology (ICT) and Human Resources

Management. Also, two educators and 12 Grades 3

and 4 learners from Esiphukwini Junior Primary School

were trained on seedbed preparation. The project was

implemented in collaboration with Mbumbulu District’s

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture.

On the 8th of September 2015, MUT collaborated with

the eThekwini Municipality in the commemoration of

the International Literacy Day (ILD). During the build-up

2013

2014

2015

Engineering

17%

17%

17%

Management Sciences

23%

26%

25%

Natural Sciences

21%

23%

26%

Overall

20%

21%

22%

0

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%