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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%