Page 10 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q1

joint grant applications.The universities visited include Afe Babalola University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, as well as Takoradi Technical University and Ghana Communications Technology University in Ghana.
3.2.3 Research Impact
The upgrade of the SiyaHamba Solar Boat into an autonomous vessel and the ongoing research, design, and development of the SiyaH2amba Hydrogen Boat are advancing the DUT’s capabilities in autonomous maritime systems and clean energy technologies. These projects foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and support skills development in cutting-edge fields, positioning the DUT as a contributor to sustainable maritime innovation and international research efforts.
Participation by staff and students in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge demonstrates DUT’s innovation on a global platform and fosters knowledge transfer.
3.2.4 ENVISION2030 Alignment
The research collaboration activities for the first quarter align with the ENVISION2030 in several key ways. These research engagements foster collaboration, enhance retention rates, and establish meaningful partnerships that benefit both the educational institutions and the broader community. They contribute to the development of research skills and lead to incremental increases in research output, advancing knowledge, skills, and opportunities for staff, students, and the wider public. Students gain practical experience, enriched education, and improved career prospects in critical fields such as sustainable energy, housing, and construction. Additionally, energy-related collaborations drive improvements in energy access, stimulate economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability through innovative clean energy solutions.
3.3 RESEARCH EVENTS AND CONFERENCES HOSTED BY DUT
The FAI is preparing for its 9th Annual ICTAS Conference, reinforcing its commitment to knowledge sharing on international platforms as an engaged institution. Emphasizing stewardship and lived values, the faculty recently hosted three creative exhibitions that highlighted the intersection of academia, art, and social impact.
The FAD hosted an exhibition titled“I LoveTurtles” presented by its alumnus at the DUT Satellite Gallery from in January and February 2025. Featuring nine paintings that blend artistic expression with conservation awareness, the exhibition underscored the ecological challenges faced by vulnerable marine species. Representatives from the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), including uShaka Sea World, uShaka Sea World Education, and the Oceanographic Research Institute, attended the event. SAAMBR commended the initiative for leveraging art as a powerful medium to convey critical conservation messages and bridge the gap between science, education, and creative expression.
Further strengthening international academic collaborations, the ICON under the FMS hosted a visiting professor from Weingarten University of Education in Germany, who delivered an in-person seminar on “Peace Education Through Nonviolent Communication.” Faculty members have also been actively engaged in research, academic collaborations, and knowledge dissemination. They engaged in visits to Nigeria and Ghana from in March 2025, visiting Takoradi Technical University, the University of Ibadan, and Lagos Business School. These engagements focused on student recruitment, supervision, examination processes, staff and student mobility, funding opportunities, curriculum renewal, teaching innovations, publication strategies, and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives.
The Department of Construction Management & Quantity Surveying under EBE, facilitated and hosted the 13th Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Postgraduate International Conference at Durban ICC, in February 2025.
The Department of Biotechnology and Food Science under the FAS, held a three-day scientific writing workshop from in January 2025 facilitated by academics from the University of Minnesota, USA. There were 20 delegates at the workshop and staff and students from other faculties attended. At least 20 manuscripts will be developed and submitted for publication from this workshop. Furthermore, held a 3-day metagenomics and bioinformatics workshop from in February 2025 that was attended by over 100 delegates and had 5 keynote speakers from various universities. The workshop taught 4-IR skills to all attendees and stimulated creativity and will continue to generate new knowledge in the fields of pharmaceutics, functional foods, enzymology and various other fields of biological study.
Under the FMS, the DUT Business School hosted a Climate Change Conference, themed “Climate Change and Economic Management for a Sustainable Future in February 2025 in partnership with Glotan Research Service.The conference delegates were local and international guests including Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, UN Under- Secretary General and Rector/Principal United Nations University. Also, the faculty initiated the signing of an MoU with Ganpat University in India and is represented at the BRICS Community of Practice: Governance.
To further enhance creativity and global academic engagement, the IEP has collaborated with international partners to develop guest lectures and international lecture series. In close consultation with academic departments, IEP has conceptualized thematic areas that form the foundation for these online lecture series, ensuring their relevance and alignment with the university’s academic priorities. By fostering partnerships with institutions worldwide, this initiative not only broadens the scope of educational content but also introduces diverse perspectives, enriching the university’s learning environment.
These initiatives reflect the DUT’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global engagement in research, teaching, and knowledge dissemination.
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