Page 2 - DUT EDGE Dec 2021

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VC's message to students
Vice-Chancellor End OF The Year Message for 2021
The year 2021 has been a long and a challenging one; a difficult and a sad one. Life itself is just too difficult. Who ever said it could ever be easy? Many of us lost so many of our loved ones. May their souls rest in eternal peace.We experienced and lived in different sorts of pain and frustration. We might have contemplated throwing in the towel at some point, feeling valueless, useless and helpless. But, we chose to live on and, perhaps, live the legacies of our departed. The VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world is an integral part of this difficult life. We, nevertheless, continued enthusiastically with multi-modal learning, more especially online learning.
University education is not only about its mechanical aspects, but its socialising aspects, too. Cultures and behaviours must be reshaped and moulded accordingly. After university education, the man or woman who grew up in Nkandla must eventually have a more refined, complex and sophisticated conceptual framework and belief system. University education is not just about the tangible output as in the certificate, diploma or degree. It must also be about lasting, life-changing and two holistic
outcomes and impacts in his or her life. His or her state of mind, demeanour and behaviour must be starkly different from those of people he/she grew up with who never had similar opportunities. Otherwise, what is university education all about then if it leaves this man or woman static, unmoved, unshaken and unchanged.
It is in this context that the now Council-approved ‘Policy Choices regarding Vaccination of students and staff ’, and visitors and service providers, too, is a bold attempt at safeguarding the quality and the integrity of the education we offer, together with its socialising aspects.This is not only good for DUT, but for our region and our country. We had our fair share of proud and exciting moments, too. Contrary to this narrative, right at the beginning of 2021 we demonstrated our stewardship, our innovative and entrepreneurial flair, and our institutional resilience and sustainability. Just tell me: how many organisations and universities were able to give their staff a 6.5% increase as our Council did at the beginning of 2021? So many could not afford any increases at all.
This happened despite the fact that DUT’s 2021 allocations from DHET in terms of both block grants and earmarked funds had been cut. No miracle. Just astute governance, leadership and management. Do I need to refer to even more national and international accolades we received during the course of 2021 than we received in 2020? No miracle. No favour. No largesse to DUT. Pure excellence. We dared to dream. We lived those dreams. We dared to plant some seeds. Now is the moment to enjoy the harvest and the fruits. We now need to be gentle with ourselves. Let us take it easy. Let us replenish. Let us reinvigorate. Let us rest. I now wish each and every DUT person, and our families and friends, too, a restful festive period. Let us celebrate responsibly and safely. COVID-19 has not only estranged us from our past lives; it is now part of our lives. Let us not be complacent. God bless each and every one of us in the DUT community, our family and friends. God bless South Africa.
(excerpts taken from the Iminingo-Vice-Chancellor’s Communiqué)
Editor's Note
Professor Moyo, Deputy Vice- Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement
We are proud of our students and alumni who continue to make such a positive contribution to our University and the world.This exciting publication features International entrepreneur and former DUT Jewellery Design student, Vereena Sundraj, who is the founder and creative director of Colour Addict that specialises in gemstone jewellery.
She shares her success story on her journey into international entrepreneurship. Currently residing in Ireland, she has shipped her jewellery to over 34 countries worldwide, and has been featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, with an invitation to showcase her designs at New York Fashion Week.
Another exciting feature is on DUT student entrepreneur, Ntombenhle Hlela, the founder of Brighnual Designs in Pietermaritzburg, a boutique that specialises in garment making, fashion and textiles that represent a simple yet elegant and unique style. Her business has not only opened doors for her, but provides jobs for two full-time employees, with plans to employ more as the establishment expands.
Also, read all about DUT’s Lethokuhle Shandu who is flying the DUT flag high, having been selected as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA), as well as the sterling graduation accolades of some of our DUT students at the recent Spring Grad.
All these success stories of our Students and Alumni show how the DUT strategy, ENVISION2030, is being embraced and guiding our “people” to become excellent versions of themselves and becoming significant change makers in their communities and environments they find themselves in. Our strategic perspectives are: · Stewardship · Systems and Processes · Sustainability · Society. Being people-centred and engaged, innovative and entrepreneurial, is part of our DNA. Our environment is changing and DUT is positioning itself so that our people can participate productively in the development of our region, country and the world.Together we can continue to find ways to drive our futures through ENVISION2030,
with the exciting and rare opportunities it provides!
Last but not least, I thank our DUT community for embracing the rapid changes, also brought about by the pandemic. Many have been affected directly and indirectly in terms of loss. I hope that you find both peace, comfort and understanding during this festive season.
May you use the festive season to positively re-energise and spend productive times with family and friends! Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear to all!
Noxolo Memela, Communications Manager
As the year 2021 comes to an end, we must utilise this time to reflect and look back whilst looking into the future.
Despite being embattled with the COVID-19 pandemic we are grateful for the blessings that the Lord almighty bestowed on us not just as individuals but as the University community and as South Africans. First of all, before I proceed any further, I would like to thank all our colleagues at the University for their continuous contributions towards our brand (DUT) especially the Communications and the Corporate Affairs team. It is unarguably proven that globally we are all facing a rather difficult time that just when we think we might be overcoming the challenges the pandemic has imposed on us; we get hit by the different variants.
One of the most serious challenges for anyone, is being insecure about anything and the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to lead even the strongest people into insecurity. Insecurity not only on health issues but finances, possibility of losing someone we know due to the virus and the unpredictable future of institutions that we use or need to succeed as individuals and a university, to name but a few.These insecurities are created by the need that comes with the increase in infections and emergence of a new variant. However, let me not dwell on the negativity and focus on how we managed to excel as a University in many aspects of our business.
As we head into 2022, let us view the year ahead as another opportunity to do right, regardless of being faced with a pandemic or not. I can feel that 2022 will be another of those “interesting” years, for the Durban University of Technology, South Africa and globally. Our
university will continue to excel and make the headlines, for reasons to make the entire DUT community proud. Our research and entrepreneurship centres will continue to produce the best success stories as they have been doing in 2021.The achievements of 2021 are perhaps a sign that DUT is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is the University producing the best entrepreneurs and research but our alumni continue to excel in leadership roles (former SRC Secretary general- Avela Mjajubana selected to the NYDA board, Acting Vice-President DUT Convocation- Angel Mkhethi Sibisi appointed as Director: Marketing and Communications KZN Department of Trade and Investment, Buka Magwaza and Cherise Elisha- both excelled in Microbiology symposium in KZN), these are not the only alumni and students that have excelled the list is endless but it is great to note that all of them are products of our University.
So it is safe to say that it has not all been doom and gloom.We value the contributions of our academics in the classroom, the safeguarding of our institution by our Executive Management, the guidance from our Council, the desire and love to choose and make DUT their preferred institution of higher learning by our students and most importantly, the steering of our university in the right direction by our team members on the ground at operational level alongside their line managers - we salute and thank everyone for their immense contributions to our DUT home. I personally hope that those who have selflessly invested towards the betterment of the life of DUT continue to do so in 2022 and beyond. To those who did not particularly have a good year in 2021, may 2022 wipe off all your sufferings and tears from 2021, may 2022 prove to be the best year of your entire existence. May opportunities and goals that did not present themselves or succeed in 2021 do the opposite in 2022. Also remember that at some point in our lives, we all go through some form of downtime but it is up to us to rise and embrace the time we have been given and the opportunities presented to us.
Wishing you and your families a blessed, peaceful and healthy festive season. May 2022 be a year of abundance, joy, peace and productivity.
How to contact us:
Mr Alan Khan: alank@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2906/2106
Miss Bongiwe Chiliza: bongiwec@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2106 Miss Noxolo Memela: noxolom@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2845 Mrs Waheeda Peters: waheedap@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2113 Miss Simangele Zuma: simangelez1@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2899 Mr Aman Mahomed: amanullahm@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2339 Mr Nkululeko Mbatha: nkululekom4@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2107 Miss Nikiwe Sukazi: caadmin2@dut.ac.za or 031 373 6529