Excited international students from Germany and France were officially welcomed to DUT for a term of study from this month (July).

The study term of the 31 Management Science and Engineering students ends on September (2016). The academic exchange programme was initiated and driven by DUT’s Directorate: International Education and Partnerships (IEP). DUT hosted an Orientation Day to give the students an overview of their respective departments which will afford them the opportunity to experience lectures from different perspectives.

The IEP was established to support DUT in its drive towards becoming a globally positioned university of technology. It also plays a vital role of encouraging internationalisation by highlighting activities in all departments to international and potential partners.

DUT IEP Senior Director, Dr Lavern Samuels, emphasised that the international students should see the experience as not just an academic one, but one that enhances human development. “While you come here as ambassadors from your respective countries, it’s very important to create groups of ambassadors who can go back to their own countries and speak about their rich, cultural experiences at DUT and South Africa, to their place of employment as well as within their communities,” he said.

The students were looking forward to experiencing the City to the fullest.

“Academically, one of my subjects is Economics and so far, it is very similar to economics in my university back home,” said German Management Science student, Corinna Springart. From the time I arrived, people have been very friendly and welcoming and I am really looking forward to experiencing what the country has to offer,” she said.

Celina Schimmelpfennig, also studying Management Science, said the lecturers have been very warm and welcoming. She is looking forward to having a wonderful experience in Durban.

This student exchange initiative by the IEP was established 10 years ago with only two international students and has now grown in leaps and bounds.

• Waheeda Peters

Pictured: International students listen attentively to the various talks given by academic staff from various DUT departments at the orientation day.