Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is continuing its aggressive push toward academic excellence, with its Quality Management Directorate (QMD) successfully concluding a rigorous three-day internal audit of the Department of Environmental Health. The review, which took place from 18 to 20 May 2026 at the University’s North Campus, marks a critical milestone in MUT’s ongoing efforts to foster a transformative culture of quality that goes well beyond simple regulatory compliance.
This evaluation is the second of five major programme reviews scheduled in MUT’s ambitious 2026 project plan. It follows the successful audit of the Department of Community Extension carried out in mid-April 2026. According to Dr Thobile Poswa, the Head of the Department of Environmental Health, the audit is a core component of MUT’s internal quality management ecosystem. This specific review concludes a cycle that began in 2021, thoroughly evaluating the department’s performance, curriculum, and outcomes over a comprehensive five-year period (2021–2025).
To ensure national benchmarks were met, the QMD structured its evaluation around the 10 rigorous criteria established by South Africa’s Council on Higher Education (CHE). The scope of the review was extensive, assessing everything from curriculum design and staff competencies to assessment moderation, work-integrated learning (WIL), and industry partnerships.
The review panel held deep-dive engagements with academic staff, students, and key external stakeholders to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning, alignment with national higher education requirements, and adherence to strict professional body standards. The final findings indicate a highly positive outlook for the department, confirming that the Environmental Health programme is compliant, fully aligned with regulatory frameworks, and structurally “fit for purpose.” Notably, the panel highlighted the department’s robust focus on producing competent, workplace-ready practitioners equipped to handle the day-to-day demands of the profession.
However, the directorate maintained that academic quality is a moving target, noting that “continuous improvement remains necessary to ensure sustained quality and relevance” in a rapidly changing sector.
The rigorous nature of the review was supported by an independent, six-member panel featuring high-profile external experts. The QMD extended special appreciation to two key external evaluators. These are Professor Thokozani Mbonane, Head of the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Johannesburg, who served as the external academic peer; and Zine Fikeni, Senior Manager of Environmental Health Services at the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, who provided critical industry-level oversight.
By bringing in top-tier voices from both academia and active public health management, MUT ensures its academic programmes remain deeply connected to real-world industry needs.
With three more departmental reviews scheduled before the end of December 2026, MUT’s QMD is steadily building institutional accountability, ensuring that the University’s qualifications continue to meet the evolving needs of its students, industry partners, and broader society.