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The Research directorate has appointed an Administrator who will be responsible for NRF and all pre-grant research funding proposals.  Dr Anette Mienie, Director of the directorate, said this strategic position aims to enhance external income secured for research initiatives and ultimately an increase in third stream income.  Dr Mienie said Mthobeli Myeza will provide the following support: circulate calls for funding proposals; arrange workshops for staff members interested in developing research funding proposals; advise staff members on the development of their research funding proposals; submit the proposals to the relevant funding agencies; and follow up on submissions and provide applicants with feedback on the outcome of their proposals. Myeza is a professional with a comprehensive background in various domains, including Environmental Sustainability, Change Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Cost Leadership, Strategic Planning, Financial Strategy, Management Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Grant Management. Myeza’s expertise spans across both the private and public sectors,

Hidden away from anyone’s view, is one of the University’s meeting places, the Senate Chamber. The Senate Chamber is in one of the old University buildings. This meeting place has received a major facelift, making it one of the gems of the University. Describing the revamped Senate Chamber, Lubabalo Ngcaweni, Director: Infrastructure Development, said the Chamber has been transformed into a modern, technologically advanced, and more functional space. “The updated chamber can now accommodate 50 individuals in a parliamentary-style sitting. It adheres to all health and safety regulations. The delegate system and whiteboard installed are designed for multipurpose use.” The Chamber has cutting-edge equipment. The centrepiece of the installation includes three 86″ Maxhub Smart Whiteboard Screens. These interactive displays are designed to enable interaction, allowing users to write, draw, and interact with content effortlessly. The large screens ensure that every detail is visible to all participants, making the screens perfect for

After four years under administration, MUT today, 16 January 2025 witnessed a significant milestone when the Administrator, Professor Lourens van Staden, handed over governance of the University to the newly constituted Council at a meeting held at the Senate Chamber on the MUT main campus.  Professor van Staden and his technical team comprised of Ms Moretlo Mokuele, Mr Paul Slack, and Dr Dhaya Naidoo, took over administration in September 2022 and have worked tirelessly to address the terms of reference prescribed by the former Minister of Higher Education and Training. During the handover, Professor van Staden expressed his gratitude for the support he received and highlighted the progress made during his tenure. He officially transferred the responsibilities and authority to the new Council, stating his confidence in their ability to lead the university towards a brighter future. The newly appointed Council members, a diverse group of esteemed academics, administrators, business

‘The letter to the applicant with feedback is still being prepared and will be sent in due course. This rating will be valid from 1 January 2025. In the meantime, please inform the applicant of the outcome’. This was a request to Dr Anette Mienie, Director: Research, from the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Lizzy Ledwaba: Professional Officer: Ratings Awards. Ledwaba asked Dr Mienie to inform Dr Cyprian Ndumiso Ncobela that he has been awarded a ‘Y2’ rating. This is another feather in the MUT hat. An NRF Y rating is given to promising young researchers recognized as having the potential to become leaders in their field. Responding to the news, Dr Ncobela, a lecturer in the Department of Agriculture, said he was grateful for the assistance he received from Dr Mienie; he described the message as “wonderful news”. “I am truly honoured and grateful for the recognition, and I deeply

The University staff has been once again reminded that they, together with their Institution benefit a lot by applying for the NRF rating. Dr Anette Mienie, Director of the Research Directorate, while taking part in a workshop on 16 January 2025, said that the NRF (National Research Foundation) rating was an important milestone in the career development of researchers.  The number of NRF-rated researchers also contributes significantly to the reputation of universities, Dr Mienie told staff at the annual NRF rating workshop. The MUT staff that attended the workshop benefited from a presentation by Jelka Monyela, Professional Officer: Rating and Awards, at the NRF. The facilitator took the staff through all the stages of applying for the NRF rating and dismissed the common belief that the NRF makes a judgment about the outcome of an application. “You are rated by your peers in your respective field, not the NRF. This

Communication platforms are still abuzz with stories of how the country’s grade 12 learners – the Class of 2024, is celebrating their passing of this last Basic Education class. The celebrations are worth it; this is one of the rites of passage in the young people’s lives. Now they are going to step into another phase of their lives. The University’s Schools liaison division visited some of the schools to show them support and appreciation of their achievements. Members of the department went to Ndukwenhle High School, Menzi High School, and Velabahleke High School; all these Umlazi Township schools achieved a 100% pass rate. Sthembile Ndlovu, Schools Liaison Officer, said this was one of the motivating factors for the visit. “We supported some of these schools from the beginning of the year, and have had programmes together, we are so glad to see them doing so well,” said Ndlovu. All

While academic departments are ready to roll out academic plans for the new year, the Directorate of Institutional Planning and Research (DIPR) and the Strategy Development Task Team (SDTT) are busy with the facilitation of the MUT Strategy 2026-2030.  It will have taken two full years to compile this important document when it is unveiled in January 2026, in line with a recommendation that strategy development should commence 18 to 24 months before its implementation. Dr Liile Lekena-Bayaga, acting Senior Director, Institutional Planning and Research, said that at MUT, this process began with extensive preparatory work which started in January 2024, followed by formal engagements from July 2024 onwards.  Among some major steps of the journey, will be May – June 2025, which will be the “approval of the strategy and implementation plan to Council. From January 2025, DIPR will commence stakeholder engagements which they plan to finalise by March-April

All operations-related projects at the University are set to improve even more as there is a massive development in the directorate. This week the University is welcoming Dr Buhlebakhe Msomi as the new Senior Director: Operations. Dr Msomi is a highly experienced infrastructure and operations management professional, bringing close to 20 years of expertise to his new role at MUT. With a strong background in project management, strategic leadership, and resource management, Dr Msomi is well-equipped to lead complex operations across diverse infrastructure domains, including buildings, civil works, and electrical and mechanical systems. Dr Msomi’s previous roles have included management positions in local government, where he successfully led policy development and infrastructure project planning and ensured effective service delivery. His extensive experience in risk mitigation, stakeholder management, and compliance with regulatory frameworks will be invaluable in ensuring that the University’s operations are not only efficient but also sustainable and aligned

While multitudes of grade 12 learners and their parents are holding their collective breath as they keenly wait for the release of their results on 14 January 2025, the University continues with the preparations for the first semester registration for the 2025 academic year. As of the end of last year, the University had received 103 483 applications for the 3223 places for the first-year students. The Head of the Academic Administration, Xolani Kunene, has again appealed to the prospective students to adhere to all applicable guidelines so their application and registration process runs smoothly. Kunene reminded the learners that registration will be from 27 January to 7 February. Only learners who have accepted offers can register. “Learners can visit  www.cao.ac.za student portal and click on registration. Learners and parents and guardians can contact the University by calling its Admission Call Centre – 031 819 9299 during office hours, which are 8am

This week, as has become the case, the Department of Marketing and Communications delivered the wall calendars and copies of the Year Planner, and other publications to the family of the University Founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The calendars were delivered to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Museum and Documentation Centre (PMBMDC) at Ulundi on 8 January 2025. The department makes this 254 kilometres, three hours and ten minutes trip every year to show the University’s gratitude towards the Buthelezi family. Zama Sishi, Acting Senior Director of the department said there are other reasons why they take this epic journey every January. “The Buthelezi family is continuing to support MUT even after the passing of HRH, Prince Buthelezi. This is a clear indication that they understand their father’s vision, which was to empower the nation through education. We are showing our appreciation of this continuing support by maintaining the relationship with the family