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Mangosuthu University of Technology

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Introduction:

MUT 2025

The Mangosuthu University of Technology Strategic Plan, MUT 2025,

will steer the University through a period that will be characterised

by a rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive higher education

environment and on-going changes in national policy, including

reform of the regulatory environment.

The policy emphasis will continue to be on the transformation of institutional cultures,

the creation of a differentiated higher education landscape, and widening access

with a focus on the scarce skills areas of science, engineering, and technology. We

expect that legislation will soon be adopted on a framework for the regulation and

standardisation of fees across the sector linked to the imperative to increase the

participation rate of students from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds.

These sector changes will be set against the backdrop of a poorly performing economy

characterised by increasing consumer debt, the unaffordability of higher education,

greater demand for free higher education and a growing trend of unemployed

graduates. At the same time, a number of exciting opportunities are emerging, including

the provision of free higher education to poor students and assistance to the “missing-

middle category” whose family income is below R600 000, significant investment by

the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in infrastructure development

at universities and the elevation to government level of the critical shortage of student

housing across the sector.

This Plan presents a shared vision of our University as a transforming, equitable,

sustainable and academically excellent University of Technology anchored in its

communities. It is a commitment to be a fair and inclusive university, growing in

academic stature as a leading university excelling in career-focused undergraduate

teaching, generating world-class research in niche areas, preparing leaders for the

global environment and enhancing the well-being of our communities.

The Plan aims to build on our history and articulates and incorporates the unique

advantages we enjoy while acknowledging the challenges we face. It outlines the

strategic goals and initiatives we will pursue to achieve our vision while adhering to

our core values. This vision will be realised by building on a commonality of purpose,

a shared sense of responsibility for the University’s future and profound respect for the

communities we serve.

We are committed to five strategic goals:

1. Excellence in teaching and learning

2. Excellence in research, innovation and engagement

3. Excellence in community engagement

4. Targeted national engagement and internationalisation

5. To create an enabling support environment

Underpinning these goals are four strategic themes: ensuring financial sustainability;

meeting the expectations and needs of our students and stakeholders – government,

business, industry and communities; improving internal processes and systems to meet

these expectations and needs; and developing the culture, skills, and training required

to support our processes. In addressing these themes, we draw on institution-wide

initiatives for the realisation of the strategic objectives associated with the five strategic

goals. We support these initiatives through a commitment to action and accountability.