Durban – Women are once again leading the pack of those graduating at this year’s Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) graduation.
The graduation is set to take place from August 8 – 13 at the university’s Pixley ka Isaka Seme Hall in uMlazi, where 1 608 women and 1 151 men will be capped.
Commenting on this year’s results, acting vice-chancellor and principal of MUT, Professor Marcus Ramogale, said he was excited at the number of female graduates that the university was producing.
“MUT has always believed that education has to transform the lives of all in society. It is encouraging to see that women are graduating in their numbers. I am sure that these graduates will take what they have learnt and plough back to their communities. To borrow from the African proverb, if you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” said Ramogale.
Women graduates outnumber their male counterparts in two faculties this year: 990 women will graduate from the Faculty of Management Sciences compared to 453 men, and 308 women will graduate from the Faculty of Natural Sciences compared to 204 men.
In the Faculty of Engineering, men lead the way with 494 male graduates compared to 310 women. These statistics are similar to those of 2021.
Ramogale said this was the second year in a row that more women than men were graduating at MUT. Holding the graduation ceremonies in Women’s Month is meant to honour women.
MUT registrar Dr Phumzile Masala said: “Our university was founded to provide technical education to marginalised black people at the time of its founding; we are honoured to see that we continue to empower disadvantaged groups through education.”
This year’s graduation comes after two years without face-to-face graduation ceremonies at the university because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ceremony will also see MUT introduce its new academic attire.
Mbali Mkhize, senior director marketing and communication at MUT, said it was fitting for the university to introduce its academic attire at this year’s ceremony.
“Our students waited for two years for face-to-face graduation, the new attire makes this year’s graduation extra special. The feedback from staff, students, and the alumni community have been overwhelming,” said Mkhize.
“That we get to launch the new academic attire during Women’s Month when more women will be graduating than their male counterparts is the cherry on top.”
SUNDAY TRIBUNE