MUT Website, The Chief Minister of KwaZulu, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi first put forward the idea of establishing a tertiary educational institution specializing in technical subjects in 1974 at a meeting with the Chairperson of Anglo American and De Beers Consolidated Mines. Research was commissioned to investigate the potential in South Africa for the training and employment of more technicians, and was undertaken by the South Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) of the University of Cape Town.
As the study showed that there was an immediate need and demand for more technicians, the Anglo American and De Beers Groups Chairperson’s Fund decided to provide R5 million to build the necessary facilities, and at a later stage companies like Mobil Oil, AECI, the S.A. Sugar Millers’ Association, the Rembrandt and Distillers Corporation, LTA Limited, Sasol and other sponsors provided more funds to establish the Schools for Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Building, and Business and Secretarial Studies.
In mid 1977 the go-ahead was given for the project to begin, and it was decided by the KwaZulu Cabinet to develop the Technikon on the site in Umlazi which, while part of KwaZulu, is also part of the Durban Metropolitan area. Given the urgency of the demand for technicians, and the need to build up the institution in an orderly fashion, it was decided to open its doors as soon as possible. Hence preliminary but permanent buildings were designed and built, and teaching began in 1979. The Technikon moved into its main buildings on their completion in September 1981.
In November 2007, Mangosuthu Technikon was renamed Mangosuthu University of Technology.
Vision Statement
The vision of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is to be a pre-eminent higher education institution of technology that fosters socio-economic advancement through the scholarships of teaching and learning, applied research, technology development and transfer and community engagement.
Elements of the Vision
Pre-eminence
The university seeks to be distinguished or outstanding; i.e. MUT will stand out among all others because of superiority in performance in selected fields as a University of Technology.
Fostering Socio-Economic Advancement
This arises from MUT’s geographic location, its focus on serving historically disadvantaged students and selection of fields of study in which to excel.
Scholarships of Teaching and Learning
The University identifies teaching and learning as its core business; and therefore seeks to excel in academic learning and achievement.
Applied Research
The University seeks to promote research that seeks solutions for practical problems. Our focus will be to develop innovative technologies.
Innovation, Technology Development and Transfer
The University in consultation with industry and SMMEs, seeks to promote technology development, implement and evaluate its impact in the environment where the technology has been applied. Technology transfer systems will be in place to facilitate its implementation. The University also has a responsibility to identify and manage innovation resulting from these activities.
Community Engagement
The University will serve Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. (Add to glossary of abbreviations). It places special emphasis on community development of the rural population.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide advanced, technology-based programmes and services that are career- and business-oriented in the broad fields of engineering, natural and management sciences for the uplift of talented but mainly disadvantaged individuals. By so doing, the University shows its commitment to social redress. It contributes to creating an equitable and prosperous Southern Africa in which individuals have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Elements of the mission
Advanced Technology-based Programmes and Services
To be advanced in our technology-based programmes and service offerings, requires that we are at the forefront of cutting edge technology. This demands that our staff members participate as leaders in their disciplines. This will help them teach with the appropriate authority. In addition, they must ensure that course materials are of the highest quality. Finally, they must maintain appropriate respect from employers of our students.
These requirements call for massive investments in technology infrastructure. These include library, language laboratories, computer laboratories and Internet access, (inter)departmental technology transfer and research centres and other teaching and practical centres. This necessitates a robust staff development programme. This will facilitate the upgrading of qualifications and skills of our academic and administrative staff.
Contribute to eradicating inequalities in higher education
MUT has its roots firmly grounded in the community it serves. In this way, the University has a unique role and focus. The location, on the rolling hills of Umlazi, emphasizes a call to serve students with a genuine historically disadvantaged background. A significant fraction of its students are eligible for government bursaries.
Our Core Purpose
To contribute to the advancement of technology-based education and training that will strengthen the skills and competitiveness of South Africa in the 21st Century.
Our Core Values
The university accepts the critical role that social relations play in the success of organisations. It is essential for our future that we adopt and practise a set of shared values that will guide the conduct of everyone in the organisation.
These are our core values:-
- We will act with integrity in all our interactions with others.
- We will strive for excellence in what we do.
- We will seek to create a climate of innovation in the university as a whole.
- In all our actions we will show respect for others.
- We will be prepared to take accountability for our conduct.
- We will support and celebrate the diversity of our community.
- We will seek to promote self-respect.
- We will strive to be at the forefront of technology development and transfer
Contacting MUT
Application and admissions call centre – 031 819 9280 / 9282 / 9284 / 9286 / 9287
Switchboard – 031 907 7111
Admission enquiries – 031 907 7181
Faculty of Engineering – 031 907 7172
Faculty of Management Sciences – 031 907 7452
Faculty of Natural Sciences – 031 907 7678
Financial Aid Bureau – 031 907 7106
Schools Liaison Office – 031 907 7194
Contact us
| Office of the Vice-Principal: Research and Innovation | |||
| Professor Zodwa Dlamini, PhD (Natal), MW | Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Engagements | +27 31 8199334/5 | [email protected] |
| Research Directorate | |||
| Dr A Mienie | Director | +27 31 907 7450 | [email protected] |
| Mrs SSK Ngongoma | Secretary | +27 31 907 7450 | [email protected] |
| Mr S Qwabe | Research Co-ordinator | +27 31 907 7557 | [email protected] |
| Enquiries | 031 907 7111 |
| Admissions Call Centre | 031 907 7111 |
| Student Accounts Officer | 031 907 7339 |
| Bursaries Officer | 031 907 7462 |
| NSFAS | 031 907 7353 |
| Schools Liaison Office | 031 907 7353 |
| Financial Aid Bureau | 031 907 7106 |
| Central Applications Office | 086 086 0 226 |
| Faculty of Engineering | 031 907 7172 |
| Faculty of Management Sciences | 031 907 7452 |
| Faculty of Natural Sciences | 031 907 7678 |
| Physical Address | 511 Mangosuthu Highway, Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal,4031 OR 511 Griffiths Mxenge Highway, Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal,4031 |
| GPS | Latitude: S 29 58.142 Longitude: E 30 54.768 |