VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY – INSPIRED BY EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION

We offer a wide range of high quality of teaching and extra-curricular activities.

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) was established in 2004. It first originated as a College of Advanced Technical Education (1966-1979) and was later known as the Vaal Triangle Technikon (1979-2003). In 2016 VUT celebrated 50 years of technical education which was a special milestone for the university. Based in southern Gauteng, the university draws students from all regions of South Africa, as well as from 25 other countries around the world. VUT is one of the largest universities of technology in the country and has an enrolment of about 21 000 students annually. The university consists of four campuses. The Vanderbijlpark Campus has a state-of-the-art library, lecture halls, laboratories, auditoriums and offices all situated on the 4.6-hectare property. There are three satellite campuses that extend the academic business of the university into Secunda in Mpumalanga, Ekurhuleni in Daveyton (also in Gauteng) and Upington in the Northern Cape. The Southern Gauteng Innovation and Technology Park is an extension of the main campus and can be located in Sebokeng. This is the seat of Southern Gauteng Innovation Hub.

RESEARCH AT VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Research at VUT was developed to offer postgraduates the best Masters and Doctorate courses in South Africa. Our vision in the research department is to be a university that leads in innovative knowledge and quality technology education. We undertake research that has an impact on people’s daily lives.

The mission is to produce employable graduates who can make an impact in society by adopting cutting-edge technology and teaching methods, creating a scholarly environment conducive for knowledge creation, learning and innovation and to develop a Programme Qualification Mix that meets the needs of society in Africa and beyond.

Our mission for research is to strengthen research in key societal strategic areas:

  • Sustainable livelihoods / development / economic growth / entrepreneurship

  • Energy / renewable / alternative

  • Environment / green / sustainability / management

  • Technological growth and modernization of industry and management / appropriate solutions / innovation / manufacturing

  • Human capacity development / education / skills development

  • Effective citizenship / humanity in context / nation building / new societal integration / innovative partnerships / globalisation

VUT HAS FOUR FACULTIES:

Within the VUT research department, and the university we have 9 centres of excellence, which are; Technology, Transfer and Innovation, Engineering Development and Support Unit, Institute of Applied Electronics, Institute of Higher Voltage Studies, Centre of Sustainable Livelihoods, Centre of Renewable Energy and Water, Institute of Chemical and Biotechnology, VUT Southern Gauteng and Technology, and the French SA Schneider Electric Education Centre. Faculty Research Awards, the VUT Excellence Award and the VUT Achievement Award are presented annually to deserving students who have exceeded expectations with their research. We strive to provide an educational facility where students are encouraged to be curious and to better the lives of those around them through their research.

MEET THE TEAM

Mrs Petro van der Walt

Senior Administrator

Tel:(016) 950 9531
Fax: (016) 950 9779
Email: petrovdw@vut.ac.za

Dr. Simphiwe Nelana

Acting Executive Director: Research & Higher Degrees

Lerato Hlahla

Administrator

Tel: (016) 950 6798
Email: leratoh@vut.ac.za

Chantelle Sonnekus

Research Development Officer

Tel: (016) 9500 9354
Email: son@vut.ac.za

Ronel Appelcryn

Research Administrator

Tel: (016) 950 9445
Email: ronela@vut.ac.za

Thakasile Nkwanyana

NRF Financial Officer

Searabo Kgekoane

Research Information Officer

Tel: (016) 950 9445
Email: searabok@vut.ac.za

Prajesh Bhikha

Marketing & Information Officer

Tel: (016) 950 6857
Email: prajeshb@vut.ac.za

Sehlabaka Motsie

Faculty Research Officer

Tel: (016) 950 7639
Email: sehlabakam@vut.ac.za

Olga Kenke

Assistant Administrator:

Tel: (016) 950 7586
Email: nomathembak@vut.ac.za

Beatrice Phume

Postgraduate Administrator

Tel: (016) 950 9536
Email: beatricet@vut.ac.za

Shirene Klink

Finance Officer

Tel: (016) 950 9482
Email: shirenek@vut.ac.za

Vulani Mahlaule

Admin Assistant

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