Dr Sally Dzingwa, Institutional Registrar; Mr Ntoane J Lepota, Deputy Rector: Academic Affairs and Research; and Prof. Wendy Setlalentoa, Acting DVC: Research Innovation and Engagement.

CUT’s Centre for Global Engagement (CGE) hosted representatives from Lerotholi Polytechnic and officials from Lesotho’s Ministry of Education and Training for a benchmarking visit aimed at supporting the Polytechnic’s proposed transition into a University of Science and Technology.

The visit built on engagements initiated during benchmarking discussions in February, which focused on staff development, curriculum alignment, research collaboration and academic mobility. Since then, the partnership has gained momentum, with two Lerotholi Polytechnic Deans participating in CUT’s International Teaching Week in August. A CUT delegation also attended the Polytechnic’s graduation ceremony in Lesotho, where discussions explored opportunities to broaden collaboration into Hospitality Management and Marketing Management, complementing existing areas of interest in engineering and construction.

The October programme brought together expertise from across CUT, with representatives from Committee Services, Institutional Planning and Quality Enhancement (IPQE), Institutional Advancement, Finance, Research, Human Resources, the Registrar’s Office, and Student Affairs and Governance.

Participants gained insights into institutional practices and systems that underpin effective university operations. Discussions covered legislation and statutes, institutional structures, quality assurance, financial sustainability, research development, staff capacity building and student support.

The broad scope of the programme reflected the complexity of the proposed transition, highlighting the importance of aligning academic ambitions with the governance, administrative and financial frameworks required to sustain a university of science and technology.

Prof. Wendy Setlalentoa, acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, emphasised the significance of the process, describing the transition as “much more than a change of name or institutional status”. She highlighted the opportunity to strengthen academic offerings, advance research and contribute to regional development, while emphasising the important role higher education institutions play in addressing societal needs and driving economic growth.

Mr Ntoane Lepota, Deputy Rector: Academic Affairs and Research at Lerotholi Polytechnic, expressed appreciation for CUT’s continued support and the institutional knowledge shared during the visit. The engagement provided an opportunity for the Polytechnic to learn from CUT’s experience while identifying areas for further collaboration.

Delegates from CUT, Lerotholi Polytechnic and Lesotho’s Ministry of Education and Training who participated in the engagements.