When a university creates a principled ethos by which all activities are undertaken, the results can be nothing short of remarkable!   Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is based within the heartland of South Africa so it should come as little surprise that management, staff and students have formulated a strategic vision for the future that is all about heart. They call it the Vision 2020 statement and within it are ideas and goals that are supported and inspired by the university across all platforms and programmes. Vision 2020 states that by 2020, CUT shall be an engaged university that focuses on producing quality social and technological innovations for socio-economic development, primarily in the Central Region of South Africa. 

This vision has four pillars: Plan, People, Product and Pennies, and each describe an important aspect of the university’s future. “This represents our aspirations and our determination as a university of technology,” says Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the university. “Through it we seek to contribute substantively to addressing the developmental needs of the Free State, Central Region, South Africa as a whole and the continent, and it will do this by graduating an industry-leading workforce and entrepreneurs.” The university’s goal is to educate by example, to be a leader in areas of social and technological innovations and research. CUT believes that no successful geographical region has established a technology-based industry without a leading educational institution in its midst and CUT wants to become this institution. In this lies the strength of the Plan pillar that outlines step-by-step implementation and review of the main practices and outcomes of Vision 2020. “The roll-out of Vision 2020 energised the staff and students and we had road shows across the university, unpacking it and getting plenty of crazy ideas that have led to projects which truly make Vision 2020 a reality,” says Prof Mthembu, “This is a boldly and unashamedly utilitarian vision, fit for a university that has students who need to be out there in the world of business, industry and the workplace.” The second pillar, People, sees the university introduce programmes that focus on the development of staff and students. One of the primary issues facing graduates today is the lack of employment opportunities, especially for those without hands-on industry experience. Many students struggle to even get placements for their internship and are unable to complete their qualifications. CUT has initiated various "equity and excellence" programmes from its own funds: for emerging academics and researchers; for leaders, be they in the support staff services, alumni or students. We have assembled a team of about 50 staff and students, irrespective of hierarchy, who we call A-teamers. They provide us with their crazy ideas that are beginning to inspire and change the whole university. The Department of Science and Technology, University of the Free State and CUT pledged their commitment to collaboration and development at the launch of the Regional Innovation Forum Free State (RIF). The goal is to promote economic growth across the various provinces of South Africa and it has the potential to address issues such as inequality, poverty and unemployment. “The mandate of RIF is completely aligned with the CUT 2020 vision and we are extremely excited about its potential,” says Professor Henk de Jager, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at CUT, “It must be seen as an important outlet to encourage new ideas and promote constructive engagements between government, universities, the business community and civil society.” If RIF is about innovation and empowerment, then CUT is on track to be a strong supporter of that movement and it ties in with their third pillar within their vision statement – Product. CUT has developed initiatives to design new, relevant and responsive programmes and these are seen as the products provided by the university. “Vision 2020 is about sustainability and ensuring that the university participates fully in dealing with the broader concerns of the world,” says Mthembu, “CUT’s products are not its students but our targeted and demand drive curriculum that ensures a future for students.” Creating and supporting a goal such as Vision 2020 can have far reaching results that extend beyond the boundaries of the campus. Mthembu advocates the belief that societal development in leading countries does not just arise in a diffuse or amorphous way, but that it is targeted and localised and then spreads out to the rest of the country, even the world. “At face value our vision reveals no grandeur about being the best nationally, in Africa or the world as some are wont to say in their vision statements,” says Prof. Mthembu, “However, it clearly puts us as a knowledge centre in the epicentre of regional socio-economic development through innovation. This is, in our view, the ultimate objective of education. 

Once we have helped to conquer the regional environment, we have no doubt that other universities both locally and internationally, will stop to notice and hopefully emulate us. In that way we can become world leaders in what we do.” CUT hosted the 17th International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) Conference 2013 in August, with the aim of answering the pressing questions about higher education’s response to internationalisation in a changing world. “As part of CUT’s internationalisation strategy, we continue to reach out to students and academics from SADC states, Germany, Belgium, Finland, The Netherlands and China,” says Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, who is also the Regional Chair: Sub-Sahara Africa of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP).   “These partnerships ensure that our students are not only industry-ready, but that they have a global perspective to their studies and an understanding of international challenges and opportunities.” The vision is clear to all who thrive within CUT, and so are the principles of knowledge, competency, versatility and productivity. The university has an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth and to produce people who care and make a difference. “I think students see firm and principled leadership in action at CUT,” says Prof. Mthembu, “As a result of our leadership by example, our students have become more confident about what they stand for, more deliberative, analytical and principled. Their engagements are always accompanied by a very sophisticated analysis of our policies, rules and regulations and the state of the university. Our students have achieved great things and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so in the future, especially if they adhere to the ethos and vision that we uphold as an educational institution.”