Latest news with #MUT
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Science
- The Citizen
How a Ballito academic transformed research at Mangosuthu University of Technology
How a Ballito academic transformed research at Mangosuthu University of Technology Ballito resident Dr Anette Mienie (64) is the driving force behind the transformation of research and innovation at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). The university recently celebrated 25 years since the establishment of its first research office in 2000, with Dr Mienie as the founding director. Taking up her leadership role, Dr Mienie faced the significant task of transforming the university's research culture. 'I realised the importance of providing a supportive environment to emerging researchers and the joy of sharing in their achievements,' she said. At the time, academic staff had heavy teaching loads, leaving little time for research. Funding was limited, few staff held advanced degrees and female researchers struggled to balance work and life commitments. Dr Mienie was able to change this. Under her leadership, MUT's research culture, capacity and policies grew significantly. She introduced research awards, established a research ethics committee and launched initiatives to support women in the field. Her hard work has paid off. Over the past decade, MUT's research output has increased by more than 560% and over a quarter of its academic staff now hold doctoral degrees. 'This is the first year our most productive researcher is female. She will receive the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence,' she said. The university also won the prestigious NRF Excelleration Award, recognising it as one of South Africa's most improved research institutions. Dr Mienie's own research career spans over 40 years and is rooted in biological and biomedical sciences. Growing up in the farming communities of Standerton and Bethal on Mpumalanga's Highveld, she witnessed the harsh effects of drought and environmental stress. Driven to make a difference, her early research focused on drought tolerance in crops such as soybeans, cowpeas, potatoes and maize, developing innovative screening methods and exploring genetic transformation to improve resilience. Adding to her unique profile, Dr Mienie also earned an LLB and became an admitted attorney specialising in intellectual property law, a rare combination showcasing her versatility and determination. While respected as a professor, scientist, lawyer and mentor, she humbly regards becoming a mother to her son, Waldo (35), as her greatest achievement. She has served as deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagements since September 2024. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak launches guidelines for competency training, licensing in water supply sector
Julaihi (third right) shows the newly launched guideline book during the event while (from third left) Sharbini, Ibrahim and Jafri look on. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 5): Sarawak, through its Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT), has officially launched the Guidelines for Accredited Institutions on Competency Training and Examination for Main Layer and Pipe Fitter Licences 2025. The launch took place on Friday during the MUT Service Excellence Awards (APC) and Innovation Awards 2024 held at a resort in Santubong. Speaking at the event, State Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, said the guidelines were introduced to provide a structured framework for accredited institutions to conduct training and examinations for the issuance of Main Layer and Pipe Fitter licences. 'This measure aims to strengthen competency standards and improve the overall quality and efficiency of water supply service delivery in the state,' he said. Julaihi added that the newly introduced guidelines not only serve as a foundation for implementing competency training and examinations, but also contribute to improving the quality of pipe-laying and installation work within the industry. He emphasised that the initiative aligns with Sarawak's effort to bolster the state's water supply sector. 'This forms one of the key criteria to ensure the smooth implementation of water supply projects in Sarawak, as it serves as an important prerequisite, particularly for contractors registered with the Contractor and Consultant Registration Unit (UPKJ),' he said. Julaihi further noted that in response to the increasing demand for skilled manpower, his ministry will continue to expand cooperation with qualified institutions to develop a larger pool of competent workers. 'I believe it is also necessary, where possible, to extend outreach to relevant stakeholders, especially our youth, so we can gather greater participation in training programmes for Main Layer and Pipe Fitter certifications in the near future,' he added. He also said the Sarawak government is also working to increase the number of competent persons in the electricity sector. 'One of the key challenges we face in implementing the Additional Late Applicant Fund (ALAF) across Sarawak is the insufficient number of competent persons available to enable contractors to carry out works effectively across the state.' Also present were State Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Dato Ibrahim Baki; State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication permanent secretary Datu Jafri Lias; and Sarawak Energy Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili. julaihi narawi utility ministry water guidelines
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak utility ministry recognises staff achievements, surpasses 2024 targets
Julaihi (centre) presents the award to one of the recipients, as others look on. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 5): A total of 138 staff members from the Sarawak Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) were honoured for their performance in 2024, with 12 receiving the Excellent Service Award (APC) and 126 awarded the Outstanding Performance Appreciation Award (PPC). According to the ministry's permanent secretary Datu Jafri Lias, the selection of APC recipients was made by the Human Resource Management Panel Committee (PPSMA). 'This committee is responsible for evaluating each staff member's performance based on established criteria, namely annual performance, discipline and integrity, as well as commitment and contribution,' he said in his speech at the MUT APC and Innovation Awards 2024, held at a resort in Santubong on Friday. The event was organised to recognise and appreciate staff members who have demonstrated outstanding performance throughout the year, while also serving to motivate the wider workforce to continuously enhance productivity and work quality. 'It also provides an opportunity for staff to engage in healthy competition in their pursuit of excellence,' Jafri added. This year marked the introduction of the 2024 Innovation Awards, established by the ministry as a form of recognition and appreciation to encourage a culture of innovation among its staff, with the aim of improving productivity and public service delivery. 'Each department within the ministry has developed its own innovation projects, particularly those related to work processes,' he explained. Jafri also shared several key achievements attained by the ministry throughout 2024, including the successful implementation of the Annual Plan 2024, which recorded an overall achievement rate of 98 per cent – an improvement from 94 per cent in 2023. He noted that the ministry's 2024 scorecard had met its stretch targets, reflecting strong performance across various areas. As of 2024, a total of 39 online services have been made available to the public, while 52 work procedures have received ISO 9001:2015 certification, demonstrating the ministry's commitment to quality and standardisation. Notably, there were no outstanding payments under the Treasury Instructions, AP58(a), with all claims for the year fully settled. The ministry also recorded a bill and claims payment performance of 99.5 per cent—the highest to date. In terms of revenue, the ministry collected RM677.62 million in 2024, achieving 107 per cent of the estimated target of RM634.90 million. The ministry's compliance under the Electronic Compliance Self-Assessment (eCSA) system reached 98.2 per cent, an increase from 96 per cent in the previous year. Furthermore, the ministry secured a 97 per cent score in the 2024 Sarawak Government Asset Management Compliance Index, the highest among agencies audited by the Sarawak State Financial Secretary's Office. Also present at the event were State Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi; Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Dato Ibrahim Baki, and Sarawak Energy Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili. appreciation julaihi narawi utility ministry
IOL News
24-05-2025
- IOL News
How the family of slain MUT lecturer Chanlall Dwarika seeks closure after justice is served
Slain engineering lecturer Chanlall Dwarika. Image: Supplied The family of slain Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) lecturer said they would carry the grief of his brutal murder for the rest of their lives. This is after the Durban High Court sentenced his killers to life imprisonment. Engineering lecturer, Chanlall Dwarika, 61, was kidnapped on May 28, 2023, and his body was found in the bushes of Durban's infamous township, Inanda, on June 3, 2023. On the day he was kidnapped, he had come to his investment property in Sea Cow Lake to conduct maintenance as the property was being renovated. His killers, Thobani Mhlongo and Kwanele Makhaye, with whom he provided food, lived on this property. The agreement was that they would look after the material for renovations, as it kept being stolen. The killers' co-accused, Siyabonga Freeman Mahaye, also lived on the property. On the day of the kidnapping, CCTV footage from the area showed Dwarika speaking to three men, who then forced him into the rear of his Honda CR-V. The trio forced him to hand over his bank cards and ATM PINs. Several withdrawals were made. At some point, Mahaye left his co-accused and took the bank cards. Mhlongo and Makhaye kept Dwarika at knife point, driving him to the Inanda bushes where they killed him. They disposed of his Honda by setting it alight before fleeing the scene. When he failed to return home, his family reported him missing to the police. His pictures were circulated on social media, and MUT held a media briefing calling for his safe return. The post-mortem results revealed that his throat had been slit and partially decapitated. Judge Khosi Hadebe described the trio as low lives and sentenced Makhaye and Mhlongo to life imprisonment each, 15 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and five years each for the kidnapping. Mahaye was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for kidnapping and 15 years' imprisonment for the robbery. Dwarika's daughter Ayuushi Dwarika-Rajbansi said they were happy with the life imprisonment imposed by the court. 'The sentences were fair and we are happy that the perpetrators got life sentences,' she added. She said she did not know if the family would ever find closure because of how her father was killed, adding that justice was served. 'The perpetrators were caught and reprimanded for what they had done. Their actions did not go unpunished. There is closure in that aspect. However, the way my dad passed, I don't think we will ever get closure. It will be a pain that we will carry for life.' She said they were happy with Sihle Mkhize's confession because without him, the police were not going to be able to crack her father's case. Mkhize was acquitted on Wednesday when the court handed down its judgment. He was with the killers when they killed Dwarika, and he told the court that he went to tell his supervisor at work about what his friends forced him to witness. When Mkhize told the court what happened, he said Dwarika begged for his life, and his co-accused killed him like a goat. At one point, Judge Hadebe asked him if he needed to take a break as he would get emotional while leading his evidence. [email protected]
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
State premier: Petronas, subsidiaries don't need licence to operate in Sarawak, only exemption application required
KUCHING, May 22 — Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and its subsidiaries are not required to obtain a licence from the Sarawak government to operate in the state, but exemptions must be applied for, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 'We give them exemption if they apply, but they have to tell us, then we give them the exemption,' he told a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today. Abang Johari clarified that while Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) has been formally recognised as the sole gas aggregator in Sarawak under the new joint declaration between the federal and state governments, the authority to issue operating licences remains with the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication. 'Licensing goes to the ministry. Petros is the gas aggregator, but the authority to produce licence is the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, and the MUT has the authority to exempt. Petronas being a national company, we give exemption to them,' he explained. Among those present at the press conference were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. — The Borneo Post
