Page 4 - DUT CONDUIT August 2024

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Patients’ Lives Matter
The COVID-19 pandemic demanded dedication and commitment from health care professionals and underlined the need to abide by the highest ethical principles.
In keeping with these requirements, DUT’s Bachelor of Health Sciences, Clinical Technology and Medical Laboratory Science 2023 graduates participated in an event where they took a
solemn professional oath to commit themselves to practicing their professions within professional standards guided by Ubuntu and the Health Professions’ Council of South Africa’s (HPCSA) ethical guidelines for independent practice.
HeadoftheDepartmentofBiomedicalTechnologyandsenior lecturer Dr Joyce Nonhlanhla Mbatha said that the emerging professionals from the Clinical Technology degree are able to independently perform diagnostic, therapeutic, and corrective procedures on patients using specialised health technology and techniques for the treatment of patho-physiological conditions in a hospital-based or private practice setting.
She added that Medical Laboratory Science professionals are highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals that perform diagnostic tests on patient samples in a clinical laboratory and conduct research. In order to highlight the importance of ethical
principles in both practice and research, three specialists were invited to present at the event.
Clinical Technology Neurophysiology Specialist Ms Nomthandazo Ntshangase spoke on Clinical Practice as a Health Care Professional within the government and private sectors, while Ms Akhona Vuma (HPCSA Medical Technology Board Member) focused on ethics and unprofessional conduct. Keynote speaker Professor Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana addressed the topic of Research and Related Ethics in Professional Practice.
The event also celebrated excellence through awards for academic performance and research, as well as student leadership. Special awards were also presented to the industry partners that collaborate with DUT’s Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology as well as training institutions and units that hosted the 2023 cohort of graduates for clinical practice.
Pictured: Dr Joyce Nonhlanhla Mbatha.
Fine Arts Academic Recognised by international Research Network
Waheeda Peters
Dr Jonathan Okewu could not contain his excitement after he was recognised by Common Ground Research Network as an Emerging Scholar in 2024. Common Ground Research Networks are meeting places
for people, ideas, and dialogue. Okewu is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Prior to this, he was an Honorary Research Associate at the institution.
“The Emerging Scholar award is a milestone and significant achievement. This signifies that my research efforts are being recognised at
international level,” he said.
Okewu holds a BA, MA and PhD in ceramic art. His style is largely conceptual and he adopts an innovative approach that transcends traditional ceramic production methods, opening new horizons through clay. Through his pieces, he revives African cultural values, exploring everything from folkloric masks to the representation of social behaviours and representations.
He recently participated in the Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society at Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
Okewu explained that the Common Ground Research Network issues a call for entries prior to the network’s annual conference, which is held in different countries.
“In shortlisting the recipients, consideration is given to academic qualifications, research efforts and output and international research exposure. I feel that my engagement with DUT as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow contributed to this achievement,” he said.
“DUT also stands to gain and I hope my achievement motivates colleagues in the Faculty of Arts and Design to redouble their research efforts.”
Okewu would like to see DUT hosting a Common Ground research network conference as these events provide substantial international exposure for the institution where they are held.
Okewu is the author of the book, Clay iron fillings that is available on amazon.com. He has won numerous prizes and grants as a result of his active participation in research and art exhibitions. His unique style of ceramics gained him an originality prize at the 2018 national Life in my City Art Festival (LIMCAF). Okewu’s creative output was ranked number one by DUT in 2022. He is a member of Common Grounds Research Network (CGScholars), Art POWA network, Rhodes University South Africa, Ceramics Researchers Association of Nigeria (CerAN), and the Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA).
Okewu’s recognition as an Emerging Scholar by the international research network highlights the research and creative potential of the fine arts. He is committed to growing the ceramics practice in the Department of Fine Arts as well as training undergraduate and postgraduate students who will contribute to the achievement of ENVISION2030.
P“ictured: Dr Jonathan Okewu.
It has shown that engaging in ” research and creative output is rewarding.