Seated from left: Dr Mantoa Molete, Mr Sisa Njikelana and Prof. Pamela Dube. Backrow from left: Prof. Parks Makhoahle, Dr Sally Dzingwa, Mr Lebohang Musa, Mr Mohau Manyarela, Prof. Rajesh Mahabeer and Prof. Yunus Ballim.

For the first time in the history of the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), Council and the Institutional Forum convened a joint meeting, marking a significant milestone in strengthening institutional governance, stakeholder engagement and collaborative leadership.

The engagement created a platform for open, constructive and strategic dialogue, reaffirming the complementary roles and distinct mandates of the Council and the Institutional Forum. It also strengthened a shared understanding of their responsibilities and underscored the critical importance of trust, accountability, effective communication and evidence-based advice in advancing CUT’s strategic priorities.

More importantly, the meeting laid the foundation for deeper, more structured and sustained engagement, positioning the Institutional Forum to play a more proactive and strategic role in matters central to the university’s future, including transformation, institutional culture, stakeholder trust, equity, inclusion and student-centred development.

Facilitated by Prof. Yunus Ballim, the meeting highlighted the Institutional Forum’s pivotal role in shaping and advancing the university’s transformation agenda. The discussion emphasised that meaningful transformation requires more than policy commitments; it demands deliberate action, inclusive leadership, institutional accountability and genuine institutional change.