CUT and Mangaung Metro Municipality renew their vows

CUT News Partnerships Leadership
CUT and Mangaung Metro Municipality renew their vows

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) renewed their partnership agreement on 14 February 2019. The parties first entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016 to establish a framework for the negotiation of the proposed cooperation between them and contribute to the development of the Free State Province.

In his address, Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal said that both national and international Higher Education sector is facing many changes and as universities, their role is critical in joining forces with the government to come up with solutions to challenges. “As a university, we are proud to be associated with the city and we believe that as critical role players, together with Mangaung Metro, can build and mould the economy of this region and beyond.”  

He said that CUT is focused on producing social and technological innovations to enhance the socio-economic development of the region and beyond. “We want to instil entrepreneurial skills among our students, and we can only do it in partnership with you,” he said

Among other issues that needs attention, Prof. Henk mentioned road closures, safety and security, visibility in the city and land swop. He also spoke about the importance of a forum between the city, University of the Free State and CUT where they can all come together, engage as a collective, strengthen capabilities and impact positively on socio-economic development.

Cllr Olly Mlamleli, Executive Mayor said that the MoU only provides a framework for further discussions on specific disciplines that are critical for cooperation namely, training and skills development, research and innovation and economic development. “I consider these areas of cooperation as disciplines because we expect the university to evoke expertise on relevant theoretical and empirical perspective to help us master the day to day practices of these issues. We do not want to lean on consultation services when facing complex issues, but we desire your expertise to balance interdependence and institutional autonomy between our organisations. This interdependence will even unlock other plans for the institution. Together let us establish the city to be globally safe to work, invest and live in as envisaged by the municipal council. Together we can do more.”

She also said that the current education system is struggling to furnish job-ready graduates who can convert the dream of a better life for all into reality. “Our education system must be able to produce people who will be able to help us drive the economy and bring solutions to challenges faced. We must be able to come up with noble ideas and think outside the box. I want to challenge this institution to come on board, assist and advise us.”

“This partnership extends beyond improving good governance but by this, we seek to empower our people to stand a better chance of contributing to local community development reconciliation and realise the ultimate goal of establishing developmental local government.”

“This calls for the relevant faculties of this university and different departments of the municipality to develop close working relation for successful implementation of this MoU. If we do not do that, we will have a dead document. This must not be a corpse; the soul must come from partnership of officials coming together,” she concluded.

In her closing remarks, Cllr Mlamleli pledged one million Rands to CUT women empowerment programmes.

Image

Cllr Olly Mlamleli, Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro sealing the agreement with Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

Uploaded: 19 February 2019
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