CUT has a proud history of honouring prominent leaders and world-renowned individuals for their leadership roles in society and their contributions to the advancement of human kind, and Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) as a young and innovative institution.
The following recipients of CUT’s honorary doctorates and masters have been awarded.
Year | Awardee | Honorary Degrees Awarded (honoris causa) |
2001 | Dr NR Mandela (1918 - 2013) | Doctor Technologiae: Education |
2003 | Dr K Mokhele | Doctor Technologiae: Management |
2003 | Dr TA Manuel | Doctor Technologiae: Business Management |
2004 | University mergers: Technikon Free State and Vista Welkom Campus officially becomes Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) on 1 January 2004. | |
2004 | Prof. K Asmal (1934 - 2011) | Doctor Technologiae: Education |
2004 | Dr T Wohlers | Doctor Technologaie: Mechanical Engineering |
2004 | Dr MA Pyoos | Doctor Technologaie: Management |
2005 | Dr S Mthembi-Mahanyele | Doctor Technologaie: Management |
2006 | Dr D Tutu (1931 - 2021) | Doctor Technologiae: Education |
2006 | Dr P Molemela (1933 - 2017) | Doctor Technologiae: Management |
2007 | Dr CA Troskie (1936 - 2022) | Doctor Technologiae: Management |
2009 | Dr PJ Gordhan (1949 -2024) | Doctor Technologiae: Business Administration |
2013 | Dr HSP Mashaba | Doctor Technologiae: Business Administration |
2014 | Dr G Marcus | Doctor Technologiae: Business Administration |
2015 | Prof. ZKG Mda | Doctor Technologiae: Language Practice |
2017 | Prof. S Ramakrishna | Doctor Technologiae: Engineering |
2018 | Mr L Mule | Masters Technologiae: Business Administration |
2019 | Dr Brand Pretorius | Doctorate of Management Sciences in Marketing Management |
2020 | Dr KD Nkhatho | Doctor Technologiae: Communication in Language Practices |
2021 | Prof. IJ Mosala | Doctor Technologiae: Business Administration |
2021 | Dr JS Chaka | Doctor of Philosophy: Environmental Health |
2022 | Dr CJ Hansen | Doctor Technologiae: Mechanical Engineering |
2023 | Dr D Mashile-Nkosi | Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (Entrepreneurship) |
2023 | Dr S Joosub | Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (Business Administration) |
2024 | Dr Michael Jordaan | Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (Business Management) |
2025 | Dr W Hlakoane | Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering |
The honorary degrees awarded are listed in the CUT Calendar – Honorary degrees, https://www.cut.ac.za/calendar
Chancellor's Excellence Awards
Recipients of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award have demonstrated leadership and the capacity to guide as well as motivate others to excellence. The recipients have proven commitment to serving the community and improving the lives of others.
Year | Awardee | In recognition |
2017 | Mr Teboho Loate | Leadership and community involvement |
2018 | Dr Sylvan Seane | Leadership and community involvement |
2019 | Dr Ellen Blekie | Community involvement |
2021 | Dr Tate Makgoe | Leadership |
2023 | Mr George Ellert Cohen | Hospitality Management |

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