Advancing regional cooperation: CUT welcomed a delegation from Lerotholi Polytechnic for a strategic benchmarking engagement aimed at enhancing higher‑education excellence across Southern Africa.

The Central University of Technology, Free State, recently welcomed a benchmarking delegation from Lerotholi Polytechnic in the Kingdom of Lesotho, reaffirming its leadership role in advancing purposeful and sustainable regional partnerships. The visit forms part of CUT’s strategic commitment to strengthening higher education collaboration across Southern Africa through structured, outcomes driven engagement.

Dr Valindawo Dwayi, Senior Director: Centre for Global Engagement, reflected on the institutions’ relationship, which dates back to 2007. He emphasised that CUT remains committed to partnerships that are intentional, responsive to regional needs and focused on measurable impact.

Over nearly two decades, the collaboration has delivered tangible results. Sixteen Lerotholi affiliated students have graduated from CUT, including one doctoral and two master’s graduates. Mr Ntoane Justinus Lepota, Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs and Research at Lerotholi Polytechnic, described these milestones as clear evidence of the partnership’s contribution to capacity development and human capital growth within the region.

Discussions during the visit were forward looking and solution focused. As CUT prepares to renew the existing Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership will transition from a faculty-based arrangement to a comprehensive university level agreement. This shift signals a more integrated, strategic and impact driven phase of collaboration.

Priority areas identified include structured supervision models to support staff progression to master’s and doctoral qualifications, curriculum benchmarking to ensure academic alignment and credit compatibility, and expanded staff mobility through guest lectures, research exchanges and virtual engagements. The delegation also expressed interest in participating in CUT’s International Conference in April 2026 and in pursuing joint funding opportunities to strengthen collaborative research and innovation.

Further discussions explored the alignment of assessment practices, including practical components and examination structures, as well as the sharing of student success interventions supported by CUT’s Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching. Long term possibilities include developing complementary programme pathways in Renewable Energy, Irrigation and Drainage, and Agricultural Engineering, alongside the exchange of academic profiles to unlock research and teaching synergies. A reciprocal visit to Lesotho by a CUT delegation is also under consideration.

This engagement builds on earlier regional initiatives, including collaboration within the Moshoeshoe commemoration consortium, which strengthened cross-border academic networks between institutions in Lesotho and the Free State.

As Lerotholi Polytechnic advances towards university status, CUT continues to position itself as a strategic regional partner committed to academic excellence, institutional capacity building and meaningful contribution to development across Southern Africa.