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Mangosuthu University of Technology Annual Report
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a)
Development Grant for Historically Disadvantaged
Institutions
Council considered the Development Grant for Historically
Disadvantaged Institutions offered by the Department of
Higher Education and Training to put in place systems to
develop and sustain the financial health of HDIs and to
strengthen the academic enterprise. Council agreed that
a business plan on how to utilize these funds should be
developed by PSP Icon and submitted to the DHET by 15
April 2015.
b)
Differentiation in Higher Education
Council was informed that a document on differentiation in
higher education had been received from the DHET. This
document would be made available to Council members.
c)
Correspondence with the DHET
A letter was received from the DHET requesting the
University to, by the end of April 2015, provide the DHET
with a list of top five priority projects over the next three
years.
The University had responded to the letter indicating its
concern that the DHET had changed the infrastructure
process. MUT requested the DHET to consider current
MUT funding for five projects whose cost had escalated
from R530 million in July 2014 to R812 million in April 2015.
A Progress and Audit Report 2014/15 that provides the
DHET with progress on all infrastructure projects funded
by the DHET had been submitted to the DHET.
Council received a report on the Meetings of the Minister
of Higher Education and University Chairs of Council
Forum – South Africa (UCCF-SA).
3.8 Internal and External Collaborations
Council noted and appreciated the following
collaborations by the University:
a)
The Circle of Excellence Awards ceremony was
held on Friday, 20 February 2015. The Circle of
Excellence Awards ceremony recognizes academic
excellence at high performing Umlazi high schools.
b)
An exploratory study tour to Tanzania and Kenya
was undertaken by the Vice-Chancellor together
with the DVC: Academic and the Executive
Director: OVC. This visit was to explore possible
partnership opportunities for collaboration with
respect to student development and exchanges
with institutions on the African continent. The study
tour for students to Tanzania and Kenya would take
place around June 2015.
c)
Emanating from this visit, MUT was visited by the
Vice-Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela African
Institute of Science and Technology as well as
students from Arusha who talked to MUT students.
d)
Partnerships and stakeholder engagements
resulted in different partnerships e.g. with Sanlam
and Transnet.
e)
The outcome of alumni activities to establish
relationships has resulted in increasing the alumni
database and it continues to grow.
f)
Technology Station in Chemicals (TSC) – The TSC
contributed to the placement of MUT students for
WIL.
g)
MUT-Transnet MoU.
h)
SANLAM Stakeholders’ Dinner
i)
The Chancellor handed over of a house built by
MUT using green technology building techniques.
j)
The UNESCO Africa Engineering Week started on
28th August and ended on 30th September 2015.
The purpose of the event was to promote the
engineering profession.
k)
The National Science Week was held from the 3rd
to 7th August 2015 at St Lucia where students were
exposed to science in action.
l)
MUT, in partnership with eThekwini Municipality,
celebrated the International Literacy Day on the 8th
of September 2015.
3.9 Financial Matters
2016 INTERIM BUDGET
Council considered the interim budget for 2016. Since
the University was waiting for confirmation of the subsidy
from the DHET, this was not the final budget. The shortfall,
as a result of the zero percent fee increase, amounted to
R39.540 million. On Monday 30 November 2015 a letter
was received from the Minister of Higher Education
and Training confirming that the shortfall amounting to
R39.540 million would be paid to the University in January
2016. The Finance & Remuneration Committee met on
Monday, 30 November 2015 to review the budget and
it recommended that the budget should be revised to
include the shortfall. The Council meeting approved the
2016 interim budget.