DUT Conduit Dec21

volume 21 no. 3
Transformation for Community Development
Page 4
the university newspaper
Lecturer, Opera
Singer and Entrepreneur!
Page 4
Nov/Dec 2021
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Launch of the Innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Page 6
DUT CONTINUES TO LEAD AT THE PMR AFRICA
EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Noxolo Memela
The Durban University of Technology was once again recognised for its excellence during the 2021 Professional Market Research awards (PMR Africa) held at Elangeni Maharani Hotel, Durban.
For the third consecutive time, DUT was recognised in the category of the Institution of Higher Education/Tertiary with the Diamond Arrow Award for Leaders and Achievers-First Overall Achievers in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2019, the University received gold and in 2020 DUT was awarded the Diamond Arrow Award. In 2021, once again CEOs, MDs, business owners, company directors, managers and senior government officials bestowed the Diamond Arrow Award on the University for its achievements in stimulating the economic growth and development of the province.
The survey is conducted in April each year and organisations’ status over the past 12 months is used to select the winner. The PMR awards are held annually and acknowledge contributions and initiatives, strategies, efforts and hard work done by companies in their sector. The company’s vision, integrity, values, competence and ‘empathy’ that contribute to ethical and sustainable business practices are taken into account.
DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Sibusiso Moyo said that DUT values this recognition. “As a University, we have been recognised nationally as well as provincially for the value we add to training and supporting student entrepreneurs. We also contribute to our region as an anchor institution in our core areas of teaching and learning, and research and innovation. In our community engagement and outreach programmes, we work with all our quad-helix partners to find solutions to identified challenges. Excellence is also part of our value system that features in our Stewardship perspective of ENVISION2030. We acknowledge the positive contributions of our University internal and external stakeholders.”
Pictured: Kareeshma Gayaparsad (Marketing Practitioner: DUT Division of Corporate Affairs) receives the award on behalf of the University.
Professor Moyo also extended her thanks to the Chief Executive Officer of PMR Africa, Johan Hattingh for the annual survey that offers an independent assessment of organisations’ impact.
PMR Africa conducts its research telephonically and it is not pre-coded, meaning that it is up to the respondents to nominate and rate the candidates in the various categories on specified criteria. To preserve the integrity and independence
Pictured: DUT is bestowed the Diamond Arrow Award for Leaders and Outstanding-First Overall Achievers in KwaZulu-Natal.
of the research, the entire process is independently funded by PMR Africa. 2021 was the 19th survey.
PMR Africa Chief Executive Officer Johan Hattingh applauded all the organisations for their achievements and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence, commitment, dedication and hard work. He added these achievements were particularly noteworthy in what were extremely difficult times.