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The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has received accreditation from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for the engineering programmes in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. The accreditation is internationally recognised as one of the best management practices in engineering education as it aligns to internationally recognised engineering accords.

The achievement coincides with the university’s 10th year anniversary celebration, marking its existence as a university of technology, and reassures VUT’s commitment to excellent innovative and cutting-edge post-school education and training within international standards. It further confirms VUT’s adherence to the national policy priorities on post-school education and training towards improving student access, success and throughput rates as a challenge for the university sector.

“This means our students get the very latest technology, access to modern state-of-the-art methodology, receive professional development in the areas of engineering competencies, mentoring, training and practical work and graduate as adequate and competent persons meeting the minimum requirements to be registered as candidate engineering technicians and technologists”, says Professor Maurice Ndege, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Technology.

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology produced 687 graduates during the 2014 Autumn Graduations. The 415 diplomas, 254 Btechs and eight Mtechs graduates will contribute into the scarce and critical skills industry needed in South Africa. The graduate throughput strengthen the quality of research and innovation in building capacity for South Africa’s engineering needs.

"This standing offers our graduates the platform to use their qualification and be employable worldwide, so we are proud that our new innovative engineering courses will give our learners a head start not only in South Africa but also internationally", he said.

ECSA’s major functions are setting standards for education and professional competence, evaluating and accrediting education programmes, assessing the competency of applicants for registration, maintaining a register of registered professionals, setting and enforcing codes of conduct and practice, and investigating misconduct. The accreditation will be valid for the accreditation cycle of two years, ending in 2016.

For more information on VUT's engineering courses visit www.vut.ac.za