On 2 December 2024, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) visited the University to share its multibillion-rand expansion programme and invited the University to partner with it, so they can “look into the future together”, said one of the members of the delegation. The proposed partnership could go a long way in giving not only the University staff and students information but also allowing the Umlazi Township community to understand how TNPA works, and how they could benefit, as Dr Connie Israel, the Executive Director: Institutional Advancement (IA), suggested. Selvan Pillay, TNPA Programme Manager, made a presentation where he explained in detail Transnet’s expansion plans for the Durban harbour to be rolled out soon. The TNPA master plan is expected to create more than 570 000 job opportunities. The discussions between the two parties revealed that they both would benefit from the partnership. The main plan is to tap into each other’s resources, the University’s resources being the know-how, from both staff and students, while the freight giant could provide the University students and graduates with job-related opportunities. MUT leadership also suggested that TNPA could work with some of the Engineering staff to update their industrial knowledge, which would have a direct impact on the students. The two parties also discussed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Bheka Ntshangase said he was pleased that the University students are likely to have a chance to do some practical part of their studies with the freight giant. Dr Ntshangase also appreciated that TNPA said they could provide students from all three faculties with job-related opportunities. “Partnering with TNPA will assist students from the Faculty of Management Sciences to receive internships for Accounting, Human Resources and Office Management,” he said. He also added that TNPA could increase the number of Engineering students that do work integrated learning (WIL).
Agreeing with Dr Ntshangase, Pillay said that there would be chances for diverse academic programmes. All the disciplines are required, he said. “We can take what we need and what is available at MUT. Transnet selects interns and then distributes to other divisions. Pillay also said that there could be something done for the students even before the MOU is signed. Dr Ntshangase said the following could be the core of the MOU: students WIL experience, academic staff industrial experience, research collaboration on projects, Internships, lecturer training and career exhibitions. Dr Ntshangase said the MOU will be signed in 2025. A formal relationship with TNPA could facilitate some research-related opportunities, it was said in the meeting.