Page 4 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The second quarter of the 2025 academic year at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) reflects deepened collaboration and impactful partnerships, guided by the Quad-Helix Model. This framework, which links Academia, Industry, Government, and Community, provides a strategic lens through which DUT’s ENVISION2030 philosophy continues to drive meaningful progress, innovation, and societal transformation.
Academia: Advancing Knowledge, Research, and Education
Academic engagement remained central in Q2, with various faculties and centres fostering interdisciplinary education and applied research. The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (EBE) demonstrated strong alignment between teaching and community-oriented research. Collaborations with local schools, civic groups, and industry partners created opportunities for experiential learning while addressing urban sustainability and environmental challenges.
The Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS) launched an internal Engagement Roadshow to align departmental goals, promote engaged scholarship, and share best practices. Departments also reported various initiatives supporting DUT’s ENVISION2030, including student enrichment programmes and new partnership development.
At the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), applied research addressed South Africa’s water and sanitation issues. Collaborative efforts with municipalities, national agencies, and utilities supported policy development and empowered communities with practical solutions.
The Confucius Institute (CI) delivered 16 Chinese language courses to 368 students across all proficiency levels. It supported DUT staff pursuing PhDs in China, hosted over 500 participants at cultural events, and progressed preparations for the Beijing Dance Academy cultural tour. CI also represented DUT at the Second G20 Education Working Group (EdWG) and contributed to the launch of the Nishan World Centre for Confucian Studies, exemplifying its role in education diplomacy.
The International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) advanced curriculum transformation by embedding nonviolence principles into academic content. Through research and public webinars, ICON continued to generate knowledge that promotes peace and responds to systemic forms of violence.
The Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI) Directorate, alongside Innobiz DUT and Centre of Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CSERI), intensified efforts to support student entrepreneurship and research commercialisation.The directorate enhanced innovation capacity through training, intellectual property support, incubation services, and collaborative research with local and international institutions.
Industry: Strengthening Innovation and Economic Linkages
DUT reinforced its commitment to innovation-led economic development through active partnerships with industry. The EBE expanded collaborations with engineering and architectural firms, planning organisations, and community groups to co-develop solutions for urban resilience.These engagements provided students with opportunities to tackle real-world industry challenges.
The FMS explored a partnership with AmaZulu Football Club, aiming to bridge the fields of sport, business, and academia while fostering youth development and local enterprise.
The Confucius Institute also played a role in economic collaboration, initiating plans for a Juncao Technology Centre and organising a youth entrepreneurship tour to China, further deepening China–South Africa cooperation in technology and enterprise development.
The TTI Directorate engaged business stakeholders via technology demonstrations, intellectual property clinics, and joint ventures. Events such as the GISU Urban Innovation Competition and targeted site visits catalysed meaningful industry engagement and supported commercialisation pathways.
The Advancement and Alumni Relations Unit (AARU) played a vital role in resource mobilisation to support DUT’s student development and community programmes. The Unit had raised over R6.8 million from industry and philanthropic donors. This funding supports bursaries, food security, and school engagement initiatives. Key contributors include the Albert Wessels Trust, Toyota Tsusho Africa, FEENIX, and the Engineering Education Trust, among others. Additionally, DUT’s BankSETA project, secured R7.49 million in funding, benefiting 74 students across the Faculties of Management Sciences and Accounting and Informatics. These achievements reflect DUT’s growing credibility as a trusted partner and its capacity to secure strategic investments for institutional impact.
Government: Policy Influence and Strategic Alignment
Collaboration with government remained integral to DUT’s Q2 activities. ICON worked with local and national government structures to develop evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing violence and promoting social cohesion, directly supporting national development objectives.
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