Our Desired Graduate Attributes Profile

Through benefitting from a life-changing educational experience, NMMU graduates and diplomates will be known for demonstrating:

In-depth disciplinary/interdisciplinary knowledge

The ability to engage in the expanding knowledge base of their disciplines/ professions.
Excellence in both the art and science of their disciplines/professions.
Awareness of the latest advances in and technical competencies required by their disciplines/professions.
Leadership in the production of new knowledge and understanding through inquiry, critique and synthesis.
An appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge that combines breadth and depth of understanding.
An awareness of the global context of their disciplines/professions.

Commitment to ethical conduct, social awareness and responsible citizenship.
An acknowledgment of and respect for constitutional principles and values such as equality, equity, quality, humanity, diversity and social justice.
Respect for and awareness of the environment in all its manifestations.
A commitment to improving local, national and global environmental sustainability.

The ability to apply knowledge and skills in a range of contextual and conceptual frameworks.
Ability to anticipate and accommodate change, ambiguity and differing views.
Self-management including the ability to work autonomously, exercise initiative, and apply time management and organisational skills.
The capacity to sustain intellectual curiosity and a willingness to improve personal performance through self-reflection, the pursuit of lifelong learning, and building networks.

Ability to think creatively and to generate a range of innovative ideas that are appropriate to the particular context.
Innovation in their approach to and solution of complex problems.
Commitment to innovative thinking to advance scholarly excellence.

Openness to new ideas.
The ability to understand, interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and philosophical positions and objectively assess the merits of competing and alternative perspectives.
The capacity for critical reflection.

Self-awareness.
The ability to relate to and collaborate with others, individually or in teams, to exchange views and ideas and to achieve desired outcomes.
The ability to function in a multicultural and multilingual context.

The ability to articulate ideas and information confidently and coherently in visual, verbal, written and electronic forms to audiences of different sizes in a range of situations.
Respect for the multitude of voices, stories, perspectives and knowledge systems.