Page 28 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q2

The academic calendar during the second quarter was disrupted by an unusually high number of public holidays that did not align with university vacation periods, alongside student protests.These interruptions fragmented academic processes and limited the ability of academic units to engage externally, as attention shifted toward meeting core teaching responsibilities.
The Department of Town and Regional Planning has highlighted a need for increased funding to support collaborative field trips, particularly in light of the department’s expanded 2025 Honours class of nearly 40 students. Long-standing delays in appointing funded research associates have further hindered the department’s ability to sustain critical community-based planning projects and maintain stakeholder relationships.
The Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics is currently focused on preparing for the Professional Review Evaluation, a process requiring extensive administrative coordination. Ongoing changes to the academic curriculum further strain departmental capacity, limiting opportunities for community engagement during this period.
As previously noted, several institutional challenges remain. These include sustaining long-term community engagement initiatives, measuring their impact, aligning outreach activities with the academic calendar, and ensuring that student projects meet both academic and industry standards. Furthermore, time and capacity constraints hinder participation in public lectures and stakeholder workshops, including those involving industry leaders and CEOs.
Nevertheless, several opportunities continue to emerge that align with DUT’s strategic objectives. Strengthening collaboration with industry leaders, civic stakeholders, and community organisations offers a means to improve the university’s responsiveness to societal needs. Deeper integration of community engagement into teaching and learning also presents fertile ground for sustainable and impactful outreach. Positive interactions between students, staff, and external stakeholders in real-world settings during the first half of 2025 show great promise for building long-term partnerships and delivering meaningful societal contributions.
Building on the momentum of current initiatives, DUT is well- positioned to scale its impact. Expanding the reach of programmes to serve more communities and address a wider range of social issues will amplify the university’s influence and deepen alignment with ENVISION2030.
The IEP Directorate has navigated both significant challenges and promising opportunities amid an expanding global engagement agenda. Persistent delays in processing travel arrangements,
especially around approvals and procurement, have impacted the university’s ability to participate in international activities in a timely manner.These administrative bottlenecks limit DUT’s ability to fully capitalise on new and existing partnerships. Moreover, the rapid increase in international collaborations has outpaced the current staffing capacity of the IEP, constraining the university’s ability to effectively activate and manage all new partnerships.This may slow the momentum of internationalisation and reduce responsiveness to emerging opportunities.
Despite these constraints, valuable opportunities for institutional growth and innovation have emerged.These challenges underscore the need to streamline administrative processes and adopt digital tools to enhance efficiency in travel and procurement management. The growing demand for international partnerships also highlights the importance of investing in staff development and expanding the IEP team.Addressing these issues would enable DUT to maximise the benefits of its global networks, enhance research collaboration, and contribute more effectively to international knowledge exchange and sustainable development.
There is an opportunity to expand the reach of Community Engagement programmes to serve more schools in urban, peri- urban, and rural areas. Increasing the number of schools involved can significantly improve educational outcomes across a broader region. Current collaborations with faculties, departments, and social partners demonstrate the potential for strengthening partnerships to secure additional resources, expertise, and support, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts.
Several challenges require ongoing attention in the promotion of engagement for social impact. Securing sufficient funding remains a common concern across these engagement initiatives. Reaching remote communities poses logistical and awareness challenges. Sustaining volunteer involvement in programmes such as UNI4ALL necessitates consistent motivation, training, and support to ensure student contributions remain effective and sustainable. Differences in school infrastructure and readiness levels may create barriers to participation, particularly in regions with limited resources. Additionally, tracking and evaluating the long-term impact of engagement projects remains a complex task, underscoring the need for robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
By proactively addressing these challenges and leveraging the available opportunities, DUT can continue to deepen its impact within communities, furthering its mission of engaged scholarship and strengthening its contribution to a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable society.
There is an opportunity to expand the reach of Community Engagement programmes to serve more schools in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Increasing the number of schools involved can significantly improve educational outcomes across a broader region.
26DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY