(AGENPARL) – Fri 20 February 2026 PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 February 2026
CUT offers a warm welcome to New International Students
On Friday, 13 February 2026, the foyer of ZR Mahabane was filled with something more than conversation. It carried anticipation. Curiosity. The quiet courage of students who had crossed borders to begin a new chapter.
The Centre for Global Engagement hosted a welcoming ceremony for the university’s new international cohort, first-years, exchange students, and interns alike. Gathered alongside them were members of university management and the Global Engagement team, united by one purpose: to ensure that every new arrival feels not just registered but truly received.
The ceremony began with a message from Dr. Edith Sempe, Director of Research Development Support at CUT. Her address was clear and affirming that regardless of category or country, every international student is primarily a CUT student. With reference to the institution’s motto, she encouraged students to rise to the standard of being “a cut above the rest,” thinkers who move beyond limitation and into possibility. It was both a welcome and a challenge: immerse yourself, grow boldly, and carry the experience home with pride.
Beyond the formalities, the event served a practical purpose. Students were introduced to essential support structures, from academic assistance to medical aid options, ensuring they begin their academic journey informed and equipped. Orientation, after all, is more than coordination; it is reassurance.
The most compelling moments came when students shared their own reflections. Curiosity was a common thread. So was ambition.
Ms. Privilege Sithole from Zimbabwe, enrolled for a Bachelor of Education in Computer Science, raised a thoughtful question about participation in institutional activities, particularly sport. Would nationality limit opportunity? The answer was immediate and reassuring, merit, and commitment open doors here. Inclusion is not an exception; it is an expectation.
Similarly, Ms. Dorcas Mushiya Kazadi from the Democratic Republic of Congo, pursuing a Bachelor of Environmental Health, expressed her hope for holistic academic engagement, from laboratory preparedness to involvement in student organizations. Her sentiment echoed a broader desire shared across the room: not merely to attend, but to belong and contribute.
Captions:
1. Ms. Molleloa Lerata (Left) and Ms. Dorcas Mushiya Kazadi (Middle) engaging with Dr. Edith Sempe (Right) during the welcoming ceremony.
2. CUT International students sightseeing at the Franklin Game Reserve during the city tour.
3. CUT Centre for Global Engagement’s welcoming ceremony for new international students.
More about CUT
CUT is the foremost higher education institution in the heartland of South Africa, dedicated to quality education and training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. CUT boasts pockets of excellence, including a premier hotel school and leading research and innovation platforms, i.e., world-class 3D printing technology through medical product development.
For more information about CUT visit http://www.cut.ac.za
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