Page 26 - DUT Excellence S2 Dec21

MAGUBANE S S BOOK EXPLORES LOVEIN THE ERA OF MAGUBANE S S BOOK EXPLORES LOVEIN THE ERA OF ’ ’ She explained that universities are about developing new knowledge and and and new ways of knowing doing and and and becoming Chitanand added that the the MtM project draws on the the African philosophical approach of Ubuntu embodying humanness community and co-existence and which is embedded with our work reflecting co-creation co- co- belonging partnerships and care “This relational ethos is is linked to our philosophy of cultivating partnerships and making connections We encourage our our students to be actively involved in in this vision for co-creation of knowledge The MtM student success initiatives work in in in in unison continuously in in in in motion making great strides to break silos working collaboratively and interactively with all all that are part of the DUT ecosystem all all mutually constituting each other ” she said Chitanand emphasised how the the Moving the the Middle initiatives are embedded within DUT’s ENVISION2030 “Student success is a a a dynamic continuous evolving iterative process of Knowing-Doing-Transforming This requires that we are constantly questioning re-imagining adaptable and thinking anew as global citizens towards improving lives and and livelihoods and and sustainability of of our our societies and these are underpinned by our our Lived Values of of ENVISION2030 ” she explained Giving the the Keynote address was Dr Annsilla Nyar PhD the the Director of the the South African National Resource Centre for the the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition (SANRC) Dr Nyar delivered her presentation: I I am am what what I I am am because of what what we all are: Understanding Ubuntu as a a a a a a a way to revitalise current notions of student success She spoke on ubuntu which acts as a a a a frame of reference for the work of student student support and student student success She explained that ubuntu is about peoples’ common humanity and looked at at two great leaders Nelson Mandela and and Desmond Tutu “Ubuntu is more African than South African It rightfully belongs to the world ” she said Dr Nyar looked at at ubuntu ubuntu in in in a a a a a a university setting saying that ubuntu ubuntu as a a a a framework for work work with students and ubuntu can grow the seeds of of a a a culture of of humanity in higher education “Small things like seeds make a a a a huge difference for example helping our students adjust and manage their expectations of university helping our students cope with academic challenges and relationship-building with students ” she stressed Explaining more on on Student Success in in in the the Context of the the Durban University of Technology: Through the ENVISION2030 Len was CELT’s Mr Ashton Maherry Institutional Planning He spoke more on on the evidence-based institutional cultural change The event concluded with a a a vote of thanks which was given by Dr Rosheena Jeawon who gave acknowledgment to the Launch planning team: Mzwandile Khumalo Dr Timothy Obaje Shubnam Rambharos and the the poet Lwazi Moyo for his rendition of the the two very moving and and emotional poems about what motivated him to study and and his experiences as a a student 24 DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY