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to contribute meaningfully to community development while enhancing their own learning and leadership skills.As a values-based initiative aligned with ENVISION2030, the project aims to cultivate ethical and visionary young leaders equipped to address the socio- economic challenges facing South African society. External partners supporting the initiative include The Victor Daitz Foundation, The Albert Wessels Trust, IQRAA Trust, and Kulisha Consulting.
2.4.3 Partnerships with local communities and organizations
The DUT-Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Community Advancement Initiative leverages strong partnerships to achieve its goals. This collaborative project involves DUT, through the Departments of Entrepreneurial Studies and Management, Marketing and Retail, and Accounting and Informatics; Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, providing conservation knowledge and community connections; and local communities adjacent to KwaZulu-Natal’s protected areas, contributing valuable perspectives.
The Arbor Day Tree Planting initiative is a notable activity, aiming to beautify school grounds and generate positive community attention. Collaborative planning with municipal departments and the DUT Horticulture Department has expanded the initiative’s reach and potential for sustainable impact. School management teams and educators have expressed strong support.A stakeholder meeting is scheduled for July 2025, with the tree planting event in September 2025.
The Freedom Architecture Consulting Empowerment (FACE), an architectural voluntary association, invited the Department of Architecture to a conference in June 2025, offering DUT staff and students the opportunity to engage with SACAP officials and eThekwini Metro delegates on issues related to plan submissions and land use management. This event provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by professionals in the architectural and planning industries.
The Department of Civil Engineering is conducting an engagement project in the Edendale Wetlands using Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking methodologies. This project immerses students in real-world problem-solving by engaging with stakeholders in the Edendale area regarding wetland usage and challenges. Students are tasked with developing practical solutions, promoting
hands-on skills, critical thinking, and social justice within engineering education. The engagement team for the department facilitates crucial collaboration between students, academic staff, industry mentors, and the local community. Stakeholder engagement for Semester 2 planning took place in June 2025, with participation from external partners including the KZN Department of Economic Development,Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Greater Edendale Mall, GroundTruth, DUCT, uMngeni-uThukela Water, Msunduzi Municipality, and local NPOs and NGOs.
The project’s impact is multifaceted. It provides students with applied learning, interdisciplinary skill development, community awareness, increased employability, and a greater sense of purpose. For staff,it enriches the curriculum,fosters research,and strengthens community partnerships. The community benefits through environmental improvements, enhanced education and awareness, youth engagement and empowerment, better infrastructure, and greater inclusion and trust. This initiative advances Sustainable Development Goals 6, 11, and 15 and aligns with Africa’s Agenda 2063, Aspiration 1, by fostering environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient economies and communities through sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.
As part of a national partnership between NEMISA and DUT, the Short Course Unit (SCU) delivered NEMISA Mobile Digital Literacy training. During Quarter 2 of 2025, 298 individuals completed the programme, including unemployed youth from Matubatuba and iLembe, SMMEs supported by the Allan and Gill Gray Foundation, and inmates fromVryheid Prison.The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs collaborated with DUT by aiding in participant recruitment and providing venues.
DUT’s commitment to collaboration is evident in its diverse partnerships, each designed to generate tangible benefits for staff, students, and communities. Through the initiatives, DUT is fostering capacity building, promoting practical learning, and driving innovation in areas such as sustainable energy, digital literacy, and architecturee. These collaborations not only enhance DUT’s research profile but also contribute to addressing critical global challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
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.
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