Page 1 - DUT CONDUIT Dec 2021

volume 21 no. 3
Transformation for Community Development
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the university newspaper
Lecturer, Opera
Singer and Entrepreneur!
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Nov/Dec 2021
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Launch of the Innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Page 6
DUT CONTINUES TO LEAD AT THE PMR AFRICA
EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Noxolo Memela
The Durban University of Technology was once again bestowed for its excellence during the 2021 Professional Market Research awards (PMR Africa) recently held at Elangeni Maharani Hotel, Durban.
For the third consecutive time, DUT was recognised in the category of the Institution of Higher Education/Tertiary with the Diamond Arrow Award for Leaders and Outstanding-First Overall Achievers in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2019, the University received gold and in 2020 DUT was awarded the Diamond Arrow Award. In 2021, once again CEO’s, MD’s, business owners, company directors, managers and senior government officials entrusted the University with the Diamond Arrow Award in stimulating the economic growth and development of the province.
The survey is conducted in April each year, a reflection of an organisation’s status over the last 12 months is used to rate the winner. These awards are held annually and acknowledge contributions and initiatives, strategies, efforts and hard work done by companies in their sector. PMR Africa looks at the company’s vision, integrity, values, competence and ‘empathy’ that contributes to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Acknowledging this achievement, DUT Deputy Vice- Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (RIE), Professor Sibusiso Moyo said that DUT values the recognition by the Professional Market Research Awards. “As a University, we have been recognised nationally as well as Provincially to the value we add to training and supporting student entrepreneurs. We also contribute to our region as an anchor institution both in our core areas of teaching and learning and research and innovation. Our community engagement and outreach programmes involve us working with all our quad- helix partners in finding solutions to identified challenges! Excellence is also part of our value system that features in our Stewardship perspective of ENVISION2030. We acknowledge the positive contributions of both our University internal and external stakeholders,” said Prof Moyo.
Pictured: Kareeshma Gayaparsad (Marketing Practitioner: DUT Division of Corporate Affairs) receives the award on behalf of the University.
Prof Moyo also extended her thanks to the Chief Executive Officer of PMR Africa, Johan Hattingh for the survey conducted as it helps to measure the impact organisations have independently.
PMR Africa conducts its research telephonically and it is not pre-coded, meaning that it is up to the respondents to nominate and rate the candidates in the various categories on certain specified criteria. The entire research and survey process is independently funded by PMR Africa so that the integrity and
Pictured: DUT is bestowed the Diamond Arrow Award for Leaders and Outstanding-First Overall Achievers in KwaZulu-Natal.
independence of the research is reserved. Surveys are done annually and this year was the 19th year.
PMR Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Johan Hattingh applauded all organisations for doing great in their areas. He encouraged attendees to continue striving for excellence, commitment, dedication and hard work within their spaces (organisations) for feasible growth. Furthermore, he mentioned how excited he was that everyone came through and excelled even though times are tough (given the current situation).