11/08/2025
We are still a country, that one can have hope in. Even if we cannot be part but we would have paved the way down our generations.Bring what Lesotho Deserve Better
NUL Council Approves The New Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment!
Nine years! Yep, that’s how long we’ve been talking, planning, drawing, and sometimes arguing about it. But finally — finally — the National University of Lesotho (NUL) has something to celebrate. The NUL Council has said YES to the brand-new Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FOEBE)! And guess what? The NUL Senate had already given it the thumbs-up, earlier.
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Brought to you by NUL Innovation Hub; Where Academia Meets Industry!
So, how did this all start?
Back in 2017, NUL noticed something kind of obvious — most of Lesotho’s engineers were being trained outside the country. Sure, that helped… but it cost Lesotho a fortune and didn’t always give us the “Lesotho-specific” know-how we needed. So, the Vice-Chancellor’s office threw down the challenge to the Faculty of Science and Technology:"Let’s build our own Engineering School."
The first step? A field trip to the University of Botswana to see how they ran their own School of Engineering. Then, with the Lesotho Government’s backing, the idea made it into the Public Sector Investment Programme — and, NUL got funding for the datailed architectural drawings.
Then came the big partnership with FESTO, a world-famous engineering behemoth operating in over 60 countries [https://www.festo.com]. They brought in solid market research and helped design practical Engineeting Programmes that are both good for Lesotho and in line with global standards.
Their mission was crystal clear: help NUL train world-class engineers who can industrialise the country, modernise its infrastructure, and help grow the economy.
So, what’s FOEBE going to look like?
Phase One is about bringing together all the engineering-related programmes that are currently scattered all over Faculties. Over time, we’ll add new courses, new buildings, new labs, and equipment.
FOEBE will have four main departments:
• Computer, Electrical, and Mechatronics Engineering – Robots, smart factories, power grids, computer networks… all the cool tech stuff.
• Chemical and Industrial Engineering – Smoother factories, cleaner processes, and smarter products.
• Agricultural and Textile Engineering – Modern farming systems and cutting-edge textile manufacturing, with sustainability at the heart.
• Built Environment – Roads, bridges, water systems, mines, and cities designed for the future.
The Questions Everyone’s Asking
When do we start?
Not right now! We still need regulatory approvals before students roll in.
Do we have to wait for the fancy new building (in the attached pic)?
Nope! Phase One will start with the facilities we already have. New buildings and labs will come as we grow.
Is it just for undergrads?
Nope! NUL is moving away from being just a “teaching university.” The School in the Roma Valley is now pushing to be an Entrepreneurial University — doing research that actually turns into real-world solutions and products. FOEBE will offer Master’s and PhD programmes too. These will help the school to move closer to being an Entrepreneurial University.
It’s a big promise — that Lesotho will grow its own engineers. The kind who will build bridges, design factories, manage our water, plan our cities, and basically help shape our future.
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Brought to you by NUL Innovation Hub; Where Academia Meets Industry!
