Page 2 - DUT EDGE Dec 21

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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. Whoever said it could ever be easy? Many of us lost loved ones. May their souls rest in eternal peace. We experienced different sorts of pain and frustration.We may 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, especially online learning.
University education is not only about its mechanical aspects, but its socialising aspects. Cultures and behaviours must be reshaped and moulded accordingly. University education builds a more refined, complex and sophisticated conceptual framework and belief system. It is not just about the tangible output of the certificate, diploma or degree. It should also be about lasting, life-
changing and holistic outcomes. The graduate’s state of mind, demeanour and behaviour is different from those who did not have similar opportunities. It is in this context that the Council-approved ‘Policy Choices regarding Vaccination of students and staff’, and visitors and service providers, seeks to safeguard the quality and the integrity of the education offered by DUT, as well as its socialising aspects.This is not only good for DUT, but for our region and country.
We have also had our fair share of proud and exciting moments. At the beginning of 2021 we demonstrated our stewardship, innovative and entrepreneurial flair, and our institutional resilience and sustainability. 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 was despite the fact that DUT’s 2021 allocations from the Department of Higher Education and Training were cut in terms of both block grants and earmarked
funds. No miracle. Just astute governance, leadership and management.We also received even more national and international accolades during the course of 2021 than we received in 2020. No miracle. No favours. 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 wish each and every DUT person and their families and friends 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 the story of her successful journey into international entrepreneurship. Currently residing in Ireland, she has shipped her jewellery to more than 34 countries, 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, 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 achievements of some of our DUT students at the recent Spring Graduation.
These success stories show how the DUT strategy, ENVISION2030 is being embraced and is guiding our people to become excellent versions of themselves and significant change makers in their communities and environments. 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 future through ENVISION2030 with the exciting and rare opportunities it provides!
Last but not least, I thank our DUT community for embracing the rapid changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have been directly and indirectly affected. 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 should use this time to reflect and look back whilst looking into the future.
Despite being embattled by 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. Firstly, I would like to thank all our colleagues at the University for their on-going contributions to our DUT brand, especially the Communications and Corporate Affairs team during extremely challenging times.
One of the most serious challenges for anyone is being insecure and the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to lead even the strongest people into insecurity, not only in relation to health issues and finances, but the possibility of losing someone due to the virus and the unpredictable future of institutions that we use or need to succeed as individuals.To counter the negative aspects of our lives right now, let us focus on how we managed to excel as a University in so many respects.
As we head into 2022,let us view the year ahead as another opportunity to do right, regardless of the pandemic. Let us make 2022 a year in which DUT will continue to make the headlines for the right reasons. The achievements recorded by our research and entrepreneurship centres are 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; and Buka Magwaza and Cherise Elisha excelled at the Microbiology symposium in KZN). Indeed, the list of alumni who have made their mark is endless.
We value the contributions of our academics in the classroom, the safeguarding of our institution by our Executive Management, the guidance from our Council, and our students’ choice of DUT as their preferred institution of higher learning. We also salute our team members on the ground at operational level alongside their line managers for their immense contributions to our DUT home. I am confident that they will continue to invest in the betterment of DUT in 2022 and beyond. To those who did not have a good year in 2021, may 2022 erase your suffering and tears. May opportunities and goals that did not present themselves or succeed in 2021 take centre stage in 2022. While we all go through some form of downtime in our lives, 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