Page 9 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q2

with a strong ethical foundation alongside technical skills to ensure responsible AI adoption.
Corporate Governance in Combating Corruption and Promoting Ethical Leadership in South African State-Owned Enterprises: Recognizing the critical role of SOEs in national development and economic transformation, this webinar unpacked the persistent issues of corruption, mismanagement, and weak accountability that have eroded public trust.The dialogue highlighted the importance of sound corporate governance in restoring integrity, transparency, and ethical leadership, and convened experts, policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to explore effective frameworks and leadership values that strengthen institutional resilience.
THENSA Colloquium: The IEETR Centre has partnered with THENSA to co-host a colloquium scheduled for November 2025. This colloquium will showcase university-led research and projects focused on green energy solutions.
Renewable Energy Workshops: In collaboration with EWSETA and QCTO, the IEETR Centre participated in Renewable Energy Workshops under the Assistant Skills Programme. Staff members engaged in working sessions aimed at developing training courses for the Solar PV Service Technician certification, contributing to skills development in the renewable energy sector.
SAWEA Partnership and Energy DRIVE Truck Roadshow: A joint partnership has been established with the South African Wind Energy Association. A five-week roadshow is planned from September 2025, during which the DUT energy DRIVE truck will travel from KwaZulu-Natal to the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Along the way, it will visit approximately 20 rural schools and various wind and solar farms, promoting awareness and education on alternative energy solutions.The truck will also be exhibited at the Energy Indaba hosted at the CTICC.
Industry Research Partnerships: Several industry research partnerships have been formed with leading stakeholders including the Additive Manufacturing Design Institute, Hydrogen South Africa, SAPVIA, IQRAA Trust, Air Products, ElectroMechanica, SolarMD, FibreTech, EWSETA, and the Vaal University of Technology Station.
Space Science Centre Collaborative Project: A collaborative project between the Departments of Electrical Power Engineering and Electronic and Computer Engineering is underway in support of the Space Science Centre.The focus is on advancing research in space technology, integrating expertise in power systems, renewable energy, embedded systems, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to develop solutions in satellite communication, energy management, and autonomous space systems. Progress is currently on hold pending funding feedback.
HIRAX Radio Astronomy Project: Within the Electronic and Computer Engineering Department, DUT is contributing to the HIRAX radio astronomy project.This cutting-edge initiative, led in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, aims to map large-scale structures of the universe through hydrogen intensity mapping, contributing to research in dark energy, fast radio bursts, and cosmic evolution. The envisioned impact of HIRAX is far- reaching. Staff will benefit from international research collaboration and enhanced capacity-building opportunities. Students will gain
hands-on experience, advancing their education and career prospects in sustainable energy. Communities will experience improved energy access, economic development, and environmental sustainability through innovative clean energy technologies. The project supports SDG 7:Affordable and Clean Energy, with a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and smart grid research. DUT’s Research, Innovation and Engagement has committed R100,000 annually for the next five years to support this initiative.
University of Johannesburg Benchmarking Visit: The Department of Architecture conducted a benchmarking visit to the University of Johannesburg. While the primary purpose was to review curriculum matters, the visit also fostered discussions about potential collaborations between DUT and UJ at both national and continental levels.Areas of potential collaboration include research, design studios, and academic workshops. Once established, similar partnerships may be extended to other institutions, such as the University of Ghana.
International Collaborations
The EURAMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project is another strategic initiative focusing on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.The project examines the role of higher education in fostering sustainable local communities within a globalised world, exploring themes such as AI, robotics, the Internet of Things, and industrial automation. DUT’s involvement spans multiple faculties and departments, including Faculty of Health Sciences – Community Health Studies, the Faculties of Accounting and Informatics, Management Sciences, Applied Sciences, Engineering and the Built Environment, and the School of Education and Lifelong Learning.The Institute for Coastal and Marine Research and partners such as the South African International Maritime Institute and Hamburg University are also key contributors.
DUT’s participation in the 2025 Global Sustainability Development Congress in Istanbul has led to the formalisation of international collaborations through Memoranda of Understanding with institutions such as Ibn Tofail University, Universidad Tecnológica Empresarial de Guayaquil, Karadeniz Technical University, Gedik University, and Gebze Teknik Universitesi. These partnerships will enable the implementation of joint research projects, staff and student mobility programmes, collaborative online international learning, research seminars, and the internationalisation of advisory boards.
Further strengthening its global reach, DUT has established partnerships with 42 additional institutions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. These collaborations support benchmarking, the co-creation of contextually relevant curricula, and the development of joint postgraduate programmes. By leveraging such networks, DUT is advancing research aligned with sustainable development, African-centred internationalisation, and the global pursuit of climate action and social innovation. These efforts elevate the university’s academic standing and reinforce its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through knowledge exchange and collaborative research.
Key International Collaborative Initiatives:
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