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The Chief Minister of KwaZulu, Dr. Mangosuthu Buthelezi, first established a tertiary educational institution specializing in technical subjects in 1974 at a meeting with the Chairperson of Anglo American and De Beers Consolidated Mines. The research was commissioned to investigate the potential in South Africa for the training and employment of more technicians and was undertaken by the South Africa Labor and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) of the University of Cape Town. As the study showed an immediate need and demand for more technicians, the Anglo American and De Beers Groups Chairperson's Fund decided to provide R5 million to build the necessary facilities. At a later stage, companies like Mobil Oil, AECI, the S.A. Sugar Millers' Association, the Rembrandt and Distillers Corporation, LTA Limited, Sasol, and other sponsors provided more funds to establish the Schools for Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Building, and Business and Secretarial Studies. In mid-1977, the go-ahead was given for the project to begin. It was decided by the KwaZulu Cabinet to develop the Technikon on the site in Umlazi, which, while part of KwaZulu, is also part of the Durban Metropolitan area. Given the urgency of the demand for technicians, and the need to build up the institution in an orderly fashion, it was decided to open its doors as soon as possible. Hence preliminary but permanent buildings were designed and built, and teaching began in 1979. The Technikon moved into its main buildings on its completion in September 1981. The vision of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is to be a pre-eminent higher education institution of technology that fosters socio-economic advancement through the scholarships of teaching and learning, applied research, technology development, and transfer and community engagement. The University seeks to be distinguished, or outstanding, i.e., MUT will stand out among all others because of superiority in performance in selected fields as a University of Technology. This arises from MUT's geographic location, its focus on serving historically disadvantaged students, and selecting fields of study in which to excel. The University identifies teaching and learning as its core business and seeks to excel in academic learning and achievement. The University seeks to promote research that seeks solutions for practical problems. Our focus will be to develop innovative technologies. In consultation with industry and SMMEs, the University seeks to promote technology development and implement and evaluate its impact on the environment where the technology has been applied. Technology transfer systems will be in place to facilitate its implementation. The University also has a responsibility to identify and manage innovation resulting from these activities. The University will serve Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. (Add to the glossary of abbreviations). It places particular emphasis on the community development of the rural population. Our mission is to provide advanced, technology-based programs and services that are career- and business-oriented in the broad fields of engineering, natural and management sciences, for the uplift of talented but mainly disadvantaged individuals. By so doing, the UniversityUniversity shows its commitment to social redress. It contributes to creating an equitable and prosperous Southern Africa in which individuals have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. To be advanced in our technology-based programs and service offerings requires that we are at the forefront of cutting edge technology. This demands that our staff members participate as leaders in their disciplines. This will help them teach with the appropriate authority. Also, they must ensure that course materials are of the highest quality. Finally, they must maintain appropriate respect from the employers of our students. These requirements call for massive investments in technology infrastructure. These include the library, language laboratories, computer laboratories, Internet access, (inter)departmental technology transfer and research centers, and other teaching and practice centers. This necessitates a robust staff development program. This will facilitate the upgrading of the qualifications and skills of our academic and administrative staff. MUT has its roots firmly grounded in the community it serves. In this way, University has a unique role and focus. On the rolling hills of Umlazi, the location emphasizes a call to serve students with a genuine historically disadvantaged background. A significant fraction of its students is eligible for government bursaries. To contribute to the advancement of technology-based education and training that will strengthen the skills and competitiveness of South Africa in the 21st Century. View full university