Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), Professor Thandwa Mthembu officially welcomed the new and existing students and staff to the 2014 academic year. The opening ceremonies took place at Welkom and Bloemfontein campuses where he also delivered his State-of- the-University Address, a presentation that captures the achievements of the University as well as the key challenges that it faces. 

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the culture of teaching and learning that has evolved from ‘usual teaching’ to ‘less usual teaching,’ which means, being more open to new ideas or contemporary challenges arising from the social context in which quality of teaching and learning can improve in the process. “We now know that what students believe influences how they learn, what they choose to learn and why. The scholarship of teaching and learning has helped us to ensure that our teachers remain better prepared to meet the imperative (not a choice) of the challenges of educating students for personal, professional and civic life in the twenty-first century.” Vision 2020 and the strategic thrusts 2014 marks a significance era for the institution as it celebrates 10 years as a University of Technology (UoT). Established in 2004 through the amalgamation of the former Technikon Free State and Welkom Campus of Vista University, CUT was born. The change in designation to a UoT meant re-positioning itself to fit its purpose.  The re-positioning called for CUT to review its policies, plans, constitutions and manuals. These include the Institutional Operational Plan, SRC constitution, Language Policy, and a new medium-term vision statement called Vision 2020. Vision 2020 was in its fourth year of implementation in 2013 and also marks the end of its first phase (2010 – 2013). The strategy is meant to ensure that CUT is fit to be a UoT as has been depicted. The first phase laid the solid foundation upon which the socio-economic development of the Central Region can be fully realised.  The strategy is informed by the four pillars: plan, people, product and pennies. It has given the birth to the concept of an A-Team consisting of a group of more than 50 staff members and students, who constantly contribute their “crazy ideas” towards its advancement. A number of important milestones have been achieved including the Strategic Transformation of Educational Programmes and Systems (STEPS) process. STEPS commenced in 2010 and have been the key in transforming CUT curriculum to ensure that it meets the requirements of the 21^st century. Through STEPS, curriculum content and teaching and learning modalities were reviewed and remarkable achievements have been made regarding the academic programmes. Financial Management System and Procurement Management The restructuring exercise enabled the university to drastically improve on its financial resources management allowing it to redirect its funds to strategic projects that are geared towards realising the Vision. 

Highlights for 2013

• The accreditation of academic programmes - The South African Council of the Project and Construction Management(CM) Profession accredited the NDip Building and the BTech CM in August as well as the NDip Building and the BTech Quantity Surveying programmes by the South African Council of the Quantity Surveying Profession on 30 and 31 July 2013.
• Successful hosting of the 17^th Annual International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) Conference where CUT’s Internationalisation Strategy were launched at the international partnership colloquium.
• The launch of the Regional Innovation Forum Free State (RIFFS) in May, a tripartite alliance made of the Department of Science and Technology, the University of the Free State and CUT. The forum aims to bring together stakeholders from various segments in the innovation value-chain.
• Unveiling of the Solar Flower – a solar charging device that was designed by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. The news of the Solar Flower made waves throughout the country.
• The Product Development Technology Station (PDTS), funded by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), assisted hundreds of SMMEs in becoming globally competitive, by providing them with the technological support they need to design and manufacture innovative new products, for example, a water trough, that is designed to store water, a braille graph, which has been designed for the blind and an ear scan.
• The Higher Education and Leadership Skills Academy (HELSKA) project, as a strategic initiative, was given a mandate to develop a dynamic, innovative and committed generation of emerging academic and management leaders within the university as well as in industry, the business sector and communities, with a special focus on the Central Region. A total of 4 PhD, 12 Masters, 2 Diplomas and 2 Certificates students have been enrolled in the programme and four of them have been absorbed into the employ of CUT.
  • In a bid to achieve the Vision 2020 goal of socio-economic development, CUT designed Leaders-in-Education-and-Development Programme for student leaders which operates under the auspices of its HELSKA.
• The launch of the Schools Advancement Academy (CUT-SAA) - assist learners in the region to improve basic skills in SET, and enhances educator skills to provide quality education to learners.
  • The Educator Mentorship and Development Programme (EMDP) for primary schools, funded by the Telkom Foundation to the tune of R4 445 800 for 2014 and 2015, as well as to expand EMDP to three other schools. Results from the participating schools confirm the success of the programme. The pass rate improved from 30% to 50% average in 2012 and to 75% average in 2013.
  • The Saturday school, winter and spring schools projects produced good results contributing towards improving the performance of high school learners in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
• On the extra-curricular activities, the CUT Choir obtained 1^st position in the Lengau Choral Association Competition held in Bethlehem in August, the CUT Dance Society obtained 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 5^th position in Level One Ballroom Dance, 1^st position in Level Two and Three Ballroom Dance and 1^st and 2^nd position in the All ladies section for the Open Queen’s Birthday Dance Sports Competition in June.
• And finally, in sporting activities, the teams performed well. The CUT Rugby Team (Ixias) won the Varsity Shield; the Soccer Team won the Castle League and was promoted to Vodacom League status and Golf Team won the USSA Golf Tournament at Koro Creek.

Watch the full State-of-the University Address on CUT’s YouTube channel. 

CUT students and parents at the Official Opening in the Boet Troskie Hall on Bloemfontein Campus.