Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently approved the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework. The five values are identified as transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. The principles espoused are fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT’s Communications team, Lethukuthula Ngubane spoke to Lungisani Hlongwane, Administrative Assistant & Residence Advisor: Student Housing and Residence Life at DUT.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

“My role at DUT is serving students under the Student Housing & Residence Life Unit. I work as an Admin Assistant and as a Residence Advisor. During the day I am an Admin Assistant primarily focusing on Residence & Private Accommodation allocations and responding to students queries through Housing WhatsApp and emails. After hours, I am a Residence Advisor at my Res (Penting Property residence) focusing primarily on attending to students’ mental, physical, and psychological issues but not leaving out the implementation of programmes that address issues faced by the students living in my respective residence”.

Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?  

“I joined DUT in 2017 as a student. Ever since then, I have been actively involved in student development initiatives like being a Tutor, Mentor and Advisory, House Committee, part of Insika Men’s Network, class representative and Student Christian Organization”.

Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?  

“I associate myself a lot with integrity because I am a person who always wants to do the right things, so I am always curious as to how does an individual behaves when no one is present. For me, I value someone a lot if they don’t change their judgement just because they are alone.”

Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful.

“I am in much support of the new DUT tagline because it speaks to the holistic development of a student. After the student has graduated, it is very important for them to be creative and not wait to be employed as the unemployment rate in SA is ridiculously increasing every now and then. I would also like to see DUT graduates being unique when compared to other graduates from other institutions of higher learning. Lastly, the whole purpose of studying is to go back and reflect on the past so that we can improve our homes and all the way to the society at large. That is why we have to have impactful graduates”.

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?  

“I plan to make sure that every stakeholder of the university feels appreciated through the University now being a ‘people centered’ institution rather than a ‘students centeredinstitution’. For our university to continue growing and developing, it is essential that every stakeholder feels appreciated for whatever contribution they bring into the institution.”

Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?  

“Most people don’t know that I am an athlete for 100m and 200m.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?  

“It will benefit DUT by making sure that we produce quality graduates that will take the bar of the University into higher heights.”

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?  

“I like spending time with people for learning and unlearning purposes. It helps because you are always updated on the latest information.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?  

“I plan to share my academic knowledge with students so that they will excel academically.” 

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

“My daily motivation is that everything happens for a reason so I should move on.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?  

“My future goals at DUT is to work for the institution and occupy a management position. Then become a role model to students.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

“It would be for God to grant my mother more years as I still have a lot of things that I want to do for her.”