Page 14 - DUT Annual Report 2023

performance of roles by the right people is the design and implementation of systems and processes they will rely on to build a performing, accountable, Creative, Distinctive and Impactful (our tagline) organisation. This perspective comprises of three strategic objectives, namely Innovative Curricular and Research, Digital Environment, and State- of-the-art Infrastructure.
In alignment with the core principles of creativity and innovation outlined in our new educational philosophy, in 2023, the university focused on Big Rocks/Flagship Projects, one of which is termed ‘Teaching and Learning Re- imagined’. Detailed in the Senate report, these initiatives encompassed curriculum transformation sub-projects and sub-programmes designed to reflect this progressive educational ethos.
Under the umbrella of Teaching and Learning, numerous workshops were convened to support and monitor ongoing endeavours focused on implementing and researching curricula and practices grounded in design thinking and project-based learning methodologies. We bolstered faculty capabilities through targeted capacity development sessions, financial support for the integration of design thinking and project-based learning across 34 modules spanning various faculties, sustained mentoring, and active participation in communities of practice. Among the 15 projects supported, six prioritised community engagement, four focused on fostering industry innovation, and five tackled curriculum and pedagogical challenges through innovative approaches. The write up of these projects as case studies and research for publications continues in 2024.
We continued the implementation of our new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, completing Phase 1 in April 2023. Phase 2 started in May 2023 and went live on 5 January 2024.
It includes SAP Modules for Finance, Procurement and Human Capital Services (HCS). The Student Information System (SIS) is complex and consists of copious amounts of data, most of which also drives Finance and parts of HCS. PeopleSoft, our chosen platform for SIS, will follow through as part of Phase 3. It will go live in December 2024. Notwithstanding, the student admissions sub-module will be in place by the 2nd quarter of 2024 in preparation for student applications and admissions for 2025, which will be processed between the 3rd and the 4th quarter of 2024.
The project to upgrade the entire university’s Wi-Fi network, which had hardly been overhauled since 2012, is underway. All the old network switches of that time were replaced and upgraded to Wi-Fi 6, which is much faster
than the current version. The network overhaul includes university-owned residences. Its next phase will see more Wi-Fi 6 infrastructure being installed in areas that may not have had adequate coverage. Despite all of these initiatives, DUT’s Wi-Fi network still remains a challenge we have yet to resolve completely.
We continued with the digitalisation of several operations, building on the work we started in 2020 when COVID-19 necessitated this shift. We also explored digitalisation in supporting our curriculum transformation. Several technological advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), 3-D printing, sandboxes, gamification, extended reality, virtual reality, simulation, and so forth are now at our disposal for this purpose.
We continued with the implementation of our Long- Term Spatial Plan: 2020-2040 construction projects, while also building capacity in our Real Estate Management unit to improve our maintenance and general facilities management. Large infrastructure projects at Steve Biko and Indumiso campuses that were meant for completion in 2023 after inordinate delays will now be completed only in the first semester of 2024 owing to more delays and some exogenous factors.
At its 26 November 2022 meeting, Council approved for submission to our Minister a uniquely DUT Student Housing Public Private Partnership Project. A comprehensive submission to the Minister was dispatched in mid-December 2022. This project will see just under 10 000 student beds (about 33% of our current student population) being provided by 2025 (according to plans that anticipated a start in 2023). The end-date will certainly change given the 15-month period that has elapsed without the ministerial approval we had hoped to receive after working closely with DHET’s infrastructure unit and Treasury’s Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC). The additional bed capacity will take us much farther towards aligning with DHET’s policy on student accommodation, which expects 50% bed provision. It will also help to relieve us from so much demand and pressure our students bring to bear about the quality and adequacy of accommodation and unscrupulous landlords.
As a measure to enhance security on our campuses and immediate precincts, Protection Services embarked on numerous projects such as the installation of new servers to store security data and the repositioning of cameras for better coverage. With the anticipated completion of major construction by the end of 2025, which will have security-related technology, DUT will not only look and feel Different, but its learning, living, and working environment will be Upended.
12
DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2023