Come 2026, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) will be guided by a new strategic plan—one shaped through the collective voice of its people. This new direction is the result of an extensive and inclusive consultation process, driven by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya and her Executive Management Committee (EMC) and implemented by the Directorate of Institutional Planning and Research (DIPR), under the leadership of Dr Liile Lekena-Bayaga, Acting Senior Director.
The final internal stakeholder consultation took place on 16 April 2025, marking the close of a rigorous series of engagements that spanned weeks and brought together staff and students from all corners of the Institution. “This was our last session, aimed specifically at accommodating those unable to attend earlier meetings due to other commitments. We wanted to ensure that everyone who wished to contribute had the opportunity to do so,” said Dr Lekena-Bayaga.
What emerged from these sessions was a wealth of ideas, insights, and reflections that helped define the direction the University should take over the next five years. “We are truly pleased with the depth and quality of the contributions received. The presentations were thoughtful, strategic, and rooted in MUT’s reality—highlighting our stakeholders’ passion and commitment for the Institution. These inputs have not only enriched the strategy but have also validated the values that must underpin it,” Dr Lekena-Bayaga explained.
The DIPR has reached a saturation point in the consultation phase, meaning no fundamentally new ideas are emerging—an indicator of thorough and wide-ranging engagement. The team will now analyse and integrate the final round of inputs into the draft strategy and accompanying plan.
A special strategy presentation meeting is scheduled for 30 May 2025, where the draft will be unveiled to the broader University community for further reflection. “This is not just a plan on paper—it’s a shared roadmap to MUT’s future, and every voice has mattered in its development,” Dr Lekena-Bayaga concluded.
The new Strategy and Plan 2026–2030 will guide the next chapter of MUT’s growth, transformation, and impact.