Professor Thandwa Mthembu, who has been the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) since 2007, will step down at the end of the term (September 2016). The well-respected Professor has decided to take on new ventures in his academic career. 

 “A solid foundation has been laid by Prof. Mthembu to position CUT as the institution of choice when it comes to social and technological innovations,” says Mr Mike Mohohlo, CUT Chairperson of Council. “We assure all our partners that we will continue to build on this vision to be the preferred University of Technology in South Africa. 

“The next Vice-Chancellor, who hasn’t been named yet, will have big shoes to fill. While being part of CUT, Mthembu was mandated to pursue several goals of Council’s transformation agenda to move the university forward. He successfully managed to achieve all of these, and on top of this, he won several awards; most recently, an award at the World Education Congress in Mumbai, India for his contribution to education. He has truly moved the university to new heights,” adds Mr Mohohlo. Prof. Mthembu joined the University at a tumultuous stage when CUT experienced tremendous financial challenges. He managed to turn these challenges around by introducing a new vision and revising financial management systems, policies, and procedures. “I will forever be grateful to each one of you for this great opportunity I have had. As I leave to share the lessons and skills with others in the sector who are interested in CUT', please know that you are the ones sharing them, but through me.”, said Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal in his communiqué to the University community. 

On an international level, Mthembu has led many sterling initiatives which have helped to revolutionise CUT’s curriculum; thereby making CUT’s programmes unique and well sought after by several industries. Through his strategic thinking approach and as a result of his innovative spirit, he managed to lead the university towards developing a breed of graduates that are entrepreneurially orientated to start their own companies and create jobs for others. “We have been very lucky to have had his leadership for so long. We thank him remarkable contributions he has made at CUT”, said Madam Justice Mahube Molemela, CUT’s newly-inaugurated Chancellor. “We salute him for his invaluable contribution to what CUT is today and wish him well in his new career endeavours, concludes Mr Mohohlo. 

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Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu bids CUT au revoir after 9 successful years at the helm.  Prof. Mthembu, who took up the reigns at CUT in 2007, has grown CUT in leaps and bounds to become the preferred technology university in South Africa.