In his introductory remarks, Prof Kgwadi welcomed the delegation from MMARAU not only to VUT but to the South African shores, indicating that it is was an honour to host MMARAU delegation but more so, to be entering into an institutional agreement with them. On the MOU, he said it is common practice for African universities to prioritise partnerships with their overseas counterparts which he says there is nothing wrong with however, he added that there is an even greater need for universities within the continent to strengthen ties among themselves. 

Prof Chacha, on the other hand, described the MOU as “a marriage between the two universities that will last forever” adding that, as a young university celebrating its 10th year in 2023, MMARAU looks forward to learning as much as possible from VUT, given its rich history spanning over 50 years. He also said one of the outcomes he hopes to see emerging from this MOU is the possibility of the two universities offering joint degree programmes. These sentiments were echoed by Dr Benson Momanyi, MMARAU Council member and Chairman of the Academic, Sealing and Honorary Degrees Committee of Council. Dr Momanyi emphasised that the timing of the MOU is befitting, as the university is on a mission to strengthen its ties with others, citing that as much as it is expected to be of mutual benefit, MMARAU stands to gain more given it is a young university. 

Speaking on the background and the two institutions’ long overdue desire to formalise the relation, VUT’s Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation, Commercialisation and Internationalisation, Dr Simphiwe Nelana, said the two have been close-associate institutions over the years, with a long history of collaboration and by signing the MOU, the two are merely solidifying the relationship with an expanded scope.