Page 14 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q2

faculties and social partners, continued to support urban, peri- urban, and rural schools through the Feeder Schools Programme.To date, the programme has reached over 100 schools and positively impacted more than 8,000 learners through skills development and academic support, contributing to increased first-time university enrolments.
This aligns with DUT’s People-Centred and Engaged Perspective, as reflected in initiatives like UNI4ALL and the Bergville Literacy Programme, which support community development and educational transformation in line with ENVISION2030.Also, the office hosted a Youth in STEAM Day, attended by 60 learners three local schools.The event aimed to inspire young learners to pursue careers in Science,Technology, Engineering,Arts, and Mathematics.
Through these diverse and impactful initiatives, the Durban University of Technology reaffirms its commitment to student empowerment, community engagement, and transformative education aligned with its strategic vision, ENVISION2030.
2.4.2 Social Responsibility Projects
In the realm of sustainability and innovation, the Department of Electrical Power Engineering launched the Grey Water Harvesting System project. This initiative addresses water conservation opportunities at the Steve Biko Campus, where greywater from 128 hand basins in the Science Block can be harvested and repurposed. The system is projected to reduce water consumption by 15–20%, with the recycled water used for irrigation, cleaning, and toilet flushing. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 11, and 15, and has completed its design and simulations.
The Department of Chemical Engineering contributed to environmental advocacy through its Campus Cleaning Campaign, in collaboration with Real Estate Management and the SAICE Student Chapter.The campaign launched its first engagement in May 2025, aiming to raise hygiene awareness and promote responsible waste disposal practices among students.
Additionally, the department advanced its work on the Springfield Civic and Ratepayers Association (SCRA) Disaster Management Project. This initiative supports the development of a community disaster preparedness booklet, covering crisis communication, emergency relief, and early warning systems. A key feature of the project is the development and distribution of “Go Bags” to households, designed to strengthen community resilience. During the quarter, the team focused on booklet content development and began seeking funding to produce 1,000 Go Bags.The project aligns with SDG 10:Reduced Inequality,and is jointly led by the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Cooperative Education Unit.
During the reporting period, the ICON hosted three webinars focused on sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) within institutions of higher education. These sessions brought together students, staff, and external stakeholders for critical dialogue on prevention strategies, support systems, and institutional responsibilities. The webinars, are part of ICON’s broader commitment to social justice and community well-being, addressed practical interventions to reduce GBV on campuses, promoted cultures of respect, consent, and inclusivity, and underscored the need for stronger institutional policies and accountability mechanisms.
The TTI Office co-hosted the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2025 celebrations in KwaZulu-Natal. The event series explored the critical relationship between IP rights and the music industry, highlighting their role in protecting creative works and driving economic growth. Partner institutions included Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the Company and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and the Durban Film Office (DFO), among others.
The celebrations began with a media launch at MUT, followed by a community-focused roadshow at the Durban Botanic Gardens, aimed at raising public awareness around intellectual property.The final day, hosted again at MUT, featured an interactive workshop on the practical aspects of IP in the music industry, with significant contributions from SAMRO, LASA, NIPMO, and CIPC.These events empowered local artists with essential knowledge to protect their creative rights.
The CSERI collaborated with three leading incubators in KwaZulu- Natal to establish the Incubators Community of Practice (ICOP), a platform that fosters collaboration for ecosystem development and sustainability. ICOP’s goals include co-bidding for external projects, attracting private sector funding, reducing operational costs through shared resources, and leveraging collective networks and expertise. Plans are in place to host a joint Youth Day event, implement a structured incubation curriculum for small enterprises, roll out staff training programmes, and develop a private sector engagement strategy. The platform also aims to reconnect with alumni and establish more efficient communication across the incubator ecosystem.
Innobiz DUT continued its “Adopt a School” programme, providing support to 30 schools across KwaZulu-Natal. In partnership with Junior Chamber International (JCI) Durban, Innobiz DUT created an opportunity for DUT students to participate in the JCI Africa and Middle East Conference (AMEC) 2025. Twenty students from the Ecotourism Programme served as volunteers, gaining hands- on experience in leadership development, entrepreneurship workshops, international networking, and organisational training. This initiative significantly enhanced students’ communication, coordination, and practical skills in business tourism, while fostering meaningful international connections with professionals from over 35 countries.
The AARU chairs the DUT School Engagement Project, which aims to strengthen the basic education environment through partnerships with under-resourced secondary schools in and around the greater Durban area. Launched in 2018, the project involves eight partner schools and engages approximately 25 DUT student tutors, various staff members, and external collaborators. The project reaches around 2,000 learners and 25 tutors annually, operating through seven thematic pillars: tuition in gateway subjects, peace clubs, social entrepreneurship clubs, talent shows, sports tournaments, career guidance, and the Super Chefs competition.
The DUT School Engagement Project exemplifies DUT’s commitment to being an engaged university—one that is socially responsible and responsive to local, regional, and national needs. The initiative offers DUT students and staff the opportunity
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