Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Pamela Dube, welcoming first-year students as the university officially opens the 2026 academic year.

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) officially marked the start of the 2026 academic year at its Welkom Campus, ushering in a new chapter for the university community and welcoming first-year students as they begin their higher education journey.

Addressing students, staff and stakeholders, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Pamela Dube described the opening as a moment of unity, reflection and renewed purpose. She called on the CUT community to stand together as a caring and compassionate institution that supports one another through both challenge and opportunity.

Professor Dube formally welcomed first-year students into the CUT family, affirming their choice to join the university as a significant and life-shaping decision. She highlighted the university’s vibrant academic community of more than 22 000 students, drawn from across the nine provinces and several SADC regions, and reiterated the institution’s commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive and dynamic learning environment.

Emphasising the importance of belonging, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged students to see CUT as more than a place of study but as a community rooted in shared values, diversity and the spirit of ubuntu. She urged them to take pride in their institution, engage fully with campus life and embrace it as a space for intellectual growth, personal development and social responsibility.

Professor Dube highlighted the critical role of higher education in driving social and economic transformation, noting that CUT is strategically positioning itself to respond to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This includes expanded academic offerings in science, engineering, information technology and innovation to ensure graduates are future-ready and globally competitive.

She also outlined the university’s newly approved 2026-2030 Strategy, which places students at the heart of an integrated, student-centred ecosystem. The strategy aligns academic programmes, support services, technology and institutional culture to enhance student success and produce graduates who are skilled, innovative and ethically grounded.

From left to right: Mr Setumo Llale, Executive Director: Resources and Operations, Mr Milingoni Nemutshili, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Dr Clifford Nxomani, Acting Interim Advisor: Welkom Campus.

Despite ongoing challenges in the higher education sector, including funding pressures and student accommodation shortages, Prof. Dube reaffirmed CUT’s unwavering commitment to access, quality education and student success through strategic partnerships and collaboration across the post-school education sector.

She further indicated the high volume of enrolment figures for 2026, with the university reaching over 94% of its approved headcount target by the end of January. First-year enrolments exceeded expectations following an exceptionally high volume of applications.

In closing, Professor Dube encouraged students to remain focused, disciplined and resilient, assuring them of CUT’s commitment to their academic success, wellbeing and safety. She also expressed appreciation to parents, guardians, staff, student leaders and stakeholders for their vital role in supporting and welcoming students as they embark on their university journey.

The Official Opening continues at the Bloemfontein Campus on 06 February 2026.

CUT students lit up the Welkom Campus with a vibrant performance during the official opening, setting an energetic tone for the year ahead.