Page 10 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q2

St Petersburg State University: A collaborative engagement between Durban University of Technology and St Petersburg State University has resulted in the appointment of a staff member from SPSU as an Honorary Research Associate and supervisor of the MPhil in Quality.This initiative supports the continued development of master’s student research at SPSU and enhances ongoing international academic collaboration.
International Science Prize Global Jury: Two academics from the DUT’s International Centre of Nonviolence have been appointed to the Global Jury of the International Science Prize, presented by the Hans Günter Brauch Foundation for Peace and Ecology in the Anthropocene.They join a globally recognised panel of academics from leading institutions.Their appointment is a testament to DUT’s expanding global presence and influence in matters concerning sustainable development, peace, and climate change. The ISP honours pioneering research at the intersection of peacebuilding and environmental sustainability in the Anthropocene era.
Renewables Academy and Green Hydrogen South Africa: DUT has entered strategic partnerships with the Renewables Academy in Germany and Green Hydrogen South Africa to promote knowledge sharing and capacity development in renewable energy and just transition frameworks. This includes the hosting of an expert exchange workshop and a joint initiative titled “Capacity Development for a Just Energy Transition.”
Long-Term Joint EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy:The Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering in collaboration with the Departments of Electrical Power Engineering and Physics is contributing to the Long-Term Joint EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy. This collaboration, bridging the European Union and the African Union, aims to enhance clean energy access, improve energy efficiency, and support renewable energy transitions. While the project is still awaiting funding, it is expected to create significant opportunities for DUT staff, students, and communities. External partners include UKZN, Reunion Island University, and institutions in Morocco.The project’s anticipated impact includes international capacity building for staff, practical learning opportunities for students, and broader community benefits aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 7.
The IEP Directorate has also led a series of international guest lectures, workshops, and academic engagements that further reflect DUT’s commitment to inclusive and globally engaged higher education. One of the key public engagements was the African Partnership University Alliance public lecture featuring experts from DUT, UKZN, UNIZULU, and MUT. This panel explored the role of excellence, social justice, and global partnerships in reshaping higher education across Africa.
As part of the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence Guest Lecture Series, several continent-wide sessions were held. These lectures are followed by ongoing monthly working group dialogues involving DUT staff and global partners from the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence, ensuring continued engagement with key intercultural themes.
Furthering its focus on internationalisation and pedagogical
innovation, the IEP Directorate led a THENSA Network workshop on Collaborative Online International Learning and inclusive pedagogies. The session introduced COIL as a transformative teaching tool.
To support international student integration, DUT hosted an orientation for first-semester exchange students in February 2025. The session introduced students to the university, Durban city life, and support structures aimed at easing their transition. Another key initiative was a workshop held in May 2025 to foster engagement between local and international students.This session promoted “internationalisation at home,” aiming to enhance cultural appreciation and global perspectives among DUT students while creating a more inclusive campus environment.
Collectively, these international engagements underscore DUT’s commitment to fostering intercultural competence, global partnerships, inclusive pedagogies, and sustainability-driven research. Through its strategic alliances and global initiatives, DUT continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of higher education in South Africa and beyond.
2.1.3 Research Impact
The SiyaHamba Solar Boat Project exemplifies DUT’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and sustainable development. This project, encompassing both Solar and Hydrogen boat initiatives, fosters collaboration across the Electronic,Electrical,and Mechanical Engineering departments. Current efforts focus on upgrading the Solar Boat to a fully autonomous vessel and advancing the design and development of the Hydrogen Boat.
Students gain valuable industry experience through projects like the joint initiative with SolarMD to develop a smart lithium-ion battery for the Hydrogen Boat.Additional research concentrates on creating a ‘Navigation Arm’ and a ‘Programmable Logic Controller Unit’ to enable full autonomy for the Solar Boat, transforming it into an AI-powered platform.
DUT’s participation in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, supported by these projects, provides a platform for global knowledge transfer and demonstrates the university’s leadership in advanced maritime technologies and sustainable innovation.
2.2 RESEARCH EVENTS AND CONFERENCES HOSTED BY DUT
DUT actively promotes the dissemination of research findings and fosters international collaboration through participation in various conferences.These platforms enable postgraduate students and researchers to share their work, receive expert feedback, benchmark against global standards, and build networks with international experts.
The Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering has contributed to the IEEE Conference on Information Technology and Society as part of the Technical Program Committee, ensuring the quality of paper selection and review in collaboration with
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