Page 35 - DUT Annual Report 2023

Technology for Learning
The Technology for Learning (TFL) programme serves as a cornerstone of our student support and development initiatives. Through TFL trainings, students are equipped with essential tools and insights to utilise technology effectively for teaching and learning purposes. These sessions concentrate on leveraging platforms, such as MS Teams and Moodle, to enhance student engagement, foster collaboration, and improve learning outcomes. Additionally, basic computer literacy workshops are offered as part of the programme, recognising that our university often attracts students from underprivileged communities. A total of 3,500 students were trained in 2023.
The senior year student experience programme (SYSE), through a series of seminars and workshops, was implemented to foster continued support for students in subsequent years. The SYSE programme was aimed at deepening of students’ connections with peers, faculty, and mentors who support students in their learning and teaching. Over 3,033 students were supported through the SYSE programme.
Library Highlights
The library’s investment philosophy emphasises addressing access, social justice, equity, and inclusivity transparently and sustainably, particularly by leveraging digital resources. A significant milestone in this direction is the expansion of transformative agreements (TAs) with major scientific publishers, increasing from three to five, aligning with the library’s strategic goal of facilitating open, inclusive, developmental, and sustainable access to scholarly information.
In the reviewed period, the DUT Library signed two new TAs with Elsevier Science Direct and Springer Nature. These agreements, alongside other open-access initiatives, are designed to make the university’s research more open and impactful. To boost the visibility and discoverability of high-impact research, the library has also implemented a marketing strategy to encourage DU-affiliated researchers to engage with open-access opportunities.
In 2023, 58 journal papers by university researchers were published under these TAs with Springer Nature, Science Direct, Emerald, and Wiley, resulting in an estimated cost saving of R 3,719,733.78 for the university. Most of these publications were by emerging researchers, who typically would not have afforded to publish in high-impact journals. This accomplishment significantly enhances the visibility and impact of the university’s research, potentially improving its rankings in the future.
The library has also driven its investment philosophy in the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities in the form of the self-check system (radio frequency identification – RFID) across all campus libraries, the acquisition of new computing equipment and replacements in its smart learning and research commons at BM Patel, Indumiso and AP Library, and high- tech conference facility.
Over the past five years, the DUT Library has reimagined and redesigned its learning and research spaces to support teaching and research. In 2023, the library enhanced user experience through SMART technologies, highlighted by the annual Library TECH Week from July 24-28. The launch of the self-check service at BM Patel Library on July 26 was a key event, allowing users to independently borrow and return books, reducing wait times.
On 3 November 2023, a hybrid colloquium for Library staff featured 11 lightning talks and five conference presentations, promoting a culture of research and publication. This event supported staff, especially novice presenters, in sharing their practice-based experiences and completed Master’s dissertations.
The DUT Library also focuses on capacity development for academic libraries regionally and nationally. It hosted Dr Aubrey Chaputula from Mzuzu University, Malawi, resulting in a knowledge management workshop, an MoU for international collaboration, and plans for a joint research project. Similarly, the Director of Midlands State University Library, Zimbabwe, Ms Patience Chibanda, visited for two weeks, expressing admiration for the library staff’s professionalism.
Book club roadshows at the Midlands and Durban sites recruited new members, supported by Coca-Cola and Redbull sponsorships. These events, featuring competitions and a performance by local artist Makhosini, promoted a culture of reading.
The library commemorated the International Open- access Week with colourful and creative displays, a public lecture, and informative posters from 23–28 October. Activities during the week included a public lecture, a demonstration of open resources, and a promotion of the existing transformational agreements. A public lecture was delivered by one of the giants in the LIS field, Ms Ellen Tise, the current Senior Director: Library and Information Services at Stellenbosch University Library. The library also celebrated South African Library Week (SALW) from 20–26 March 2023 and as part of the celebration hosted a public lecture event on 23 March. This event was held virtually and was well received. Mr Mandla Ntombela, the former President of the Library and Information
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