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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