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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.