In a powerful display of strategic vision and academic leadership, Professor Alfred Msomi, Dean of the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), is rapidly positioning his faculty at the forefront of global collaboration and innovation. This time, in the high-impact world of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
When Sandile Mahlaba, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Microsoft Leader in the Government Sector and a proud MUT alumnus, requested a meeting with the Dean during the lead-up to the Government AI Summit, Professor Msomi didn’t hesitate. He ensured his entire leadership team was present at the meeting, ensuring that the faculty MANCO was fully engaged in what may be one of MUT’s most consequential strategic moves yet.
At the heart of the discussion on 10 September 2025 was Professor Renée Cummings, criminal psychologist and terrorism expert from the School of Data Science, University of Virginia, USA. Professor Cummings, a globally renowned AI ethicist, shared compelling insights on how AI is reshaping academia—from research methodologies to ethical considerations in machine learning.
“Don’t worry, Mrs Mkhize, I’m ready to lead multiple international projects because I am determined to change the trajectory of our faculty and make it a leader not just at MUT but among peer institutions globally,” said a confident Professor Msomi during the engagement.
This pivotal conversation marks the second major international collaboration Professor Msomi has forged in less than two months. Just recently, the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences hosted a Chinese delegation and signed a Memorandum of Understanding, making MUT a partner in the BRICS Academy of Skills Development and Technology Innovation and several vocational colleges across China and South Africa.
These milestones are not isolated. They form part of an intentional and ambitious agenda to transform the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences into a hub for technological innovation and interdisciplinary excellence.
A first online guest lecture by Professor Cummings is already being planned for the university. The lecture will touch on critical aspects, including how university leaders should reimagine education with AI; understanding the ethics of AI; and appreciating the ability to combine intellectual curiosity with ethical imagination. “Data is as vulnerable as it is valuable. I always advise academics not to go into the realm of AI blindly. If we want to innovate, it is very important to understand what the technology can and cannot do, as well as the boundaries and limitations,” said Professor Cummings in a discussion with Professor Msomi and the heads of departments from the Applied and Health Sciences faculty.
Mahlaba, a key initiator of both the Chinese collaboration and Professor Cummings’ visit, is fast becoming a strategic connector between MUT and global innovation ecosystems. His ongoing commitment to his alma mater is yielding real impact and new opportunities for students and staff alike.
As AI becomes more entrenched in both the public and academic sectors, Professor Msomi’s proactive, partnership-driven leadership is ensuring that MUT does not just keep up, but also shapes the conversation.