Page 37 - DUT Annual Report 2023

The DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, officially welcomed all the attendees to the most prestigious event on the academic calendar and gave context on the DUT ENVISION2030 Strategic Plan and its Statement of Intent. He explained that DUT’s ENVISION2030 Statement of Intent is that our people should be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and adaptive to changes in the world; further, that they should participate productively in the development of our locality, region, country and the world. Prof. Mthembu highlighted that DUT is focused towards transforming society entrepreneurially. He further emphasised the need to improve the institutional culture, that should arise out of its Living Values Framework.
The evening culminated with a dynamic keynote address from Mr Buyani Zwane, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at Breakthrough Development (Pty) Limited. His address centred around leadership, success and excellence.
Mr Zwane commended the ENVISION2030 strategy for bringing inspiration to the staff and students to look beyond the institution to work on addressing societal challenges. He spoke at length about how the DUT community must love what they do as it will reflect in their performance and, thus, transform DUT to greatness.
TABLE 1:
ENVISION2030 Institutional awards categories and awardees
CATEGORIES
AWARDEES
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards were awarded by the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu.
Council’s Award: Distinctive
This award is awarded by DUT Council member, Mr Zakhele Gumede.
Dr Martin Kabange Ms Stephanie Samuel
Vice-Chancellor’s Award: Creative
Awarded to a project/initiative that influences environmental sustainability, through teaching, innovations and partnerships.
Annual Research Kaleidoscope
Vice-Chancellor’s Award: Research and Innovation
The applicant for this award needed to show the innovation, its importance, uniqueness, and usefulness.
Prof. Krishnan Kanny
The Research, Innovation and Engagement Awards were awarded by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof. Fulufhelo Nemavhola together with the Director: Technology, Transfer and Innovation, Prof. Keolebogile Motaung.
Junior Researcher of the Year Award
The criteria for this award required at least three accredited publication units for the award year.
Dr Kunle Oparinde, Institute of System Science
Senior Researcher of the Year Award
The criteria for this award required at least six accredited publication units for the award year.
Prof. Saheed Sabiu, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Woman Researcher of the Year Award
The criteria for this award required a minimum of four accredited publication units for the award year.
Prof. Firoza Haffajee, Faculty of Health Sciences
Creative Outputs of the Year
The criteria for this award is that the researcher must be currently conducting research and/or engaged in creative productivity.
Philisiwe Twijnstra Clare Craighead
Dr Jonathan Okewu
DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2023
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