First batch of UNIZULU engineering UNIZULU earmarks students want to be exemplary

Samkele Sokhela

FIRST-year students who have been the opening of a admitted into the new Engineering pro- grammes offered at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) were elated to be the trailblazers for the courses and have accepted the challenge to set the bar high for the next generation of students. Last year December, UNIZULU (Rich- ards Bay Campus) launched the four-year campus in Ulundi Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering Gcina Nhleko in Electrical Engineering degrees. This was not only a milestone for the THE University of Zululand (UNIZULU) institution, but also a great feat for the was invited to give a presentation on the entire higher education sector, as it was development of Ulundi Campus. This the first engineering department to be followed a ministerial oversight visit to launched in post-apartheid . Zululand District Municipality on April According to UNIZULU Vice-Chan- 13 2021 by the Minister of Higher Edu- cellor, Professor Xoliswa Mtose, the last cation, Science and Technology, Dr Blade engineering faculty was introduced four Nzimande in connection with the district decades ago. development model programme at Prince Electrical engineering student Nkosin- airport at Ulundi. giphile Ximba said it was a great honour The district development model to be a part of such a memorable moment affords government an integrated plan- in history. ning mechanism using an institution- She admitted that, at first, the real- alised, integrated and district-based isation of being among the first group development approach. The aim of this studying towards the engineering quali- approach is to fast-track service delivery fications was daunting. However, she was by ensuring that municipalities work comforted and motivated by the fact that together with provincial and national many of her family members had suc- government, and that they were ade- cessfully graduated from the institution. quately supported and resourced to carry Phakasani Mkhize, also registered for out their mandate. the electrical engineering degree, said: “It UNIZULU gave a detailed presentation is a great feeling to be in the first group on the planning work that has already of students in my degree. I have always been done in ensuring that the vision dreamt of being an engineer and now of a campus in Ulundi is realised. The that I am about to start this journey, and intention is to relocate part or all of the at the University of Zululand, sounds spe- faculty of education and its complement cial to me. I mean, UNIZULU has a good of staff and students to this new campus. track record when it comes to producing The number of people to be accom- process will unlock funding commit- UNIZULU’s development vision is good graduates.” modated for work, study and living is ments from DHET, which will help with underpinned by a strong integration of For Talent Ntshangase, who enrolled estimated at 500 staff members and 5 000 fast-tracking the development of a com- ICT and physical infrastructure plans. for the Bachelor of Engineering in students. The university is working with prehensive feasibility plan as well as a Infrastructure executive director at UNI- Mechanical Engineering degree, study- With effect from January 2021, the University of Zululand is offering two new engineering qualifications. the Department of Higher Education and solid master plan and roadmap for the ZULU, Thabani Mncwango said that ing towards his newly-accredited degree These are the Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and the Bachelor of Engineering in Training (DHET) and the KwaZulu-Natal enactment of the new Ulundi Campus. infrastructure was at the forefront of was exciting. “I feel honoured. What I Electrical Engineering. Department of Public Works, which will Further, the university aims to develop a this project. Mncwango is co-ordinating like about UNIZULU is that most of the assist with the land assembly process and hybrid of a smart base technology-driven a technical team of UNIZULU team mem- people who completed their degrees in the culmination of a project that began The programmes are accredited by the are in support of the proposal to develop teaching and learning institution at bers, supported by the DHET technical this institution are employed. That is why in 2013, when the institution submitted Council on Higher Education (CHE) and land and the acquisition agreement. Ulundi, which will complement the team, who will form and oversee a project UNIZULU was my first choice”. a business case for the establishment of a registered with the South African Quali- The spatial development framework existing modalities of learning. team from inception until completion. These engineering programmes are facility to offer engineering programmes. fications Authority (SAQA).

First-year engineering students offered 100% funding Gcina Nhleko registration highlights THE launch of engineering qualifications at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) in November 2020 by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technol- ogy, Dr Blade Nzimande was a fulfilment of a vision that inspired the opening of the Richards Bay Campus in 2010. The campus was designed to broaden the institution’s base in the provision of quality education, while simultaneously providing much-required skills devel- opment in the region’s industrial and commercial hub. When launching the programmes, Nzimande said: “I must indicate that UNIZULU’s commitment to strengthen its relevance and quality of academic qualifications and programmes, the qual- ity of programme delivery, the aggres- sive upscaling of staff qualifications, the recognition and strengthening of stake- holder relations as well as the upgrad- The University of Zululand is the first tertiary education institution to launch an engineering department ing of teaching, learning and research in South Africa in more than 40 years. The university’s two newly accredited engineering programmes infrastructure has been compelling since were launched by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande in the university became a comprehensive December 2020. institution.” Therefore, the generous gesture by the enabling access to students, as only 60% the Minister of Higher Education and Energy and Water Sector Education and of engineering students are currently Training in terms of section 9(2) of the Training Authority (EWSETA) was an evi- sponsored by NSFAS. Act, read in conjunction with Govern- dence marker of the confidence that the The EWSETA is one of the 21 Sector ment Gazette No 33756, RG 9417 (No industry has in UNIZULU’s Engineering Education and Training Authorities estab- R1055 of 11 November 2010). offerings. lished in accordance with section 9 of the The launch of the UNIZULU engi- The EWSETA has pledged bursaries Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act 97 of neering programme was heralded as a worth R4 million for “missing middle” 1998), and has all the powers granted to positive turning point in South African students at UNIZULU. The funds will it in terms of the Act. history, as it was the first time after a gap be allocated according to the EWSETA The main areas of focus of the EWSETA of more than 40 years, that engineering funding policy. are the energy, renewable energy, gas and qualifications were introduced by a South These funds will go a long way in water services sectors, as determined by African public university.