Page 40 - DUT CONNECT Summer 2024

Waheeda Peters,
Publication Officer at DUT Communications Departments talks HIGHLIGHTS OF KEY ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND MILESTONES FROM 2024
Pictured: Former Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof. Keolebogile Motaung with Waheeda Peters and the Vice- Chancellor and Principal, Prof.Thandwa Mthembu.
Waheeda Peters is the Publications Officer at DUT Communications Department, Corporate Affairs Division. She has the exciting role of writing, editing and producing publications, living the values and principles as enshrined in the DUT ENVISION2030.
“It gives me immense pleasure to promote and showcase on our university accolades, students, and staff. Receiving a ‘thank you message’ for a story well-written is a reward and blessing that I treasure the most as it means that I am doing my job right,” explains Waheeda.
Waheeda successfully publishes and submits the DUT ANNUAL REPORT that promotes excellence and financial sustainability of the university and helps to generate a positive image for the DUT brand.
Waheeda’s portfolio also includes producing the biannual DUT EXCELLENCE publication for semester 1 and 2 which promotes and encapsulates the ENVISION2030 strategic plan through its content.
“Adding to my coffer of excellent magazines is producing the DUT CONDUIT and DUT EDGE magazines for staff and students.These magazines promote and encapsulate the ENVISION2030 strategic plan through its content via the DUT EDGE and CONDUIT every quarter for 2024,” says Waheeda.
A definite highlight from the October 2024 Edge magazine was the profile of the excellent adaptative graduate, Balini Naidoo-Engelbrecht, a visionary fashion designer from Saldanha Bay, who has made a name for herself since graduating
with Cum Laude honours in Fashion and Textiles Design from the DUT. She has made an impact, addressing social challenges through fashion. Her braille designs are being applied to affordable leisure wear for the visually impaired. Her remarkable story is a testament to the power of dreams and dedication.
My highlights for 2024 include the weekly DUT newsletter. This is published every Thursday on the DUT website and the DUT Link newsletter. Articles stories pertaining to the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.
Some of my sterling highlighted stories were regarding the hosting of the exciting three professorial inaugural lectures of Professor Feroz Mahomed Swalaha, who is the Head of Department: Biotechnology and Food Science. He was awarded full professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, in the Faculty of Applied Sciences.The inaugural lecture took place at the DUT Hotel School on the Ritson Campus on Wednesday, 28 February 2024.
The second highlighted story was Professor Firoza Haffejee’s outstanding contribution to research, teaching and community engagement at her inaugural professorial lecture. Prfo. Haffejee is the interim Head of Department (HOD) in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences.
Last but not least was Professor John Mellem’s inaugural lecture titled: The Future of Food which took place at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel on Friday, 13
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