The Residence Life Team consists of Residence Advisors, House Committees/Residence House Representatives and Floor representatives.

Residence Advisors are DUT staff members and Postgraduate students who are appointed on a part time basis to ensure overall well-being and manage residence activities.

House Committees/Residence House Representatives are elected annually by students in their respective residences to represent them on student matters. The student leaders are responsible for the implementation of residence programmes and discipline.

Floor representatives are nominated annually by students in their respective residences to represent them on each floor per residence.

The Residence Life Team plays a crucial role in supporting and developing students with an understanding that learning is not only limited to disciplinary knowledge, they are also key role players towards discipline, holistic support and development of students.

To achieve its goal of holistic student success, Student Housing and Residence Life Unit cannot operate alone, we thus have established strong working relationships with various units within Student Services and Academic Support. Our impact can only be synergized through collaborations.

One of the key focuses of the Unit is to contribute towards campus culture. We have put in place, inactive actors (systems and processes) to ensure a smooth and seamless cycle.

Creating intentional living and learning communities, this is done through the following programmes;

1. Green Campus Initiative (GCI): focusing on environmental sustainability and green campus.
2. lnsika Men’s Network: peer-to-peer support, focusing on grooming male students to responsible citizens with the main goal of inculcating a socially cohesive academic institution.
3. Qhakaza Ladies Network: peer-to-peer support, focusing on grooming female students to responsible citizens with the main goal of inculcating a socially cohesive academic institution.
4. Residence Life League: This is a sport initiative for our residence students; consisting of both indoor and outdoor soccer and netball. Its purpose is to foster the living and learning communities through keeping students engaged physically which contributes to their holistic student development and success.

As a people centred University, the Unit intentionally puts students at the centre of finding solutions to their own needs and to advance themselves through these student – led initiatives, for their own betterment, a true strive towards the realization of the Stewardship Perspective, as outlined in ENVISION2030.

• Sport and Recreations – The Unit values the development of all its students in a holistic manner, and in its endeavours, strives to enhance student life and experience during the time that students reside on campus. It is in this context that the Residence League Committee is mandated to plan and organize an Internal Residence League Programme coordinated by the Department of Student Housing and Residence Life, Residence Advisors, and Central Housing Committee on behalf of all residence students
• Art and Culture – which is in line with DUT envision 2030 strategic objectives – Live values Embrace different cultural norms and diverse backgrounds. Respect the diversity amongst students and discover, develop and demonstrate DUT talent e.g. Cultural festival, Talent Show, Miss and Mr DUT Housing Excellence etc.
• Cultural Festival 
  
• Religion – where students come together regardless of their diversity and cultural differences through program such interfaith that we believe have the power to creating a pious atmosphere that helps instil certain values such as humility and discipline in the students. This helps the students realize the essence of the ethical values.
  
• Distinctive Education – We conduct programs such as academic advising and residence  educational programs to Create a compelling and future-oriented living and learning environment in like with envision 2030

Any residential student development program is designed to offer students maximum opportunity for constructive interaction as well as personal and academic development. It aims to contribute to the core business of the institution by affording students an opportunity for academic, educational and development growth and an added advantage over living elsewhere.

DUT strives to fulfil students’ experiences and the residential program will facilitate an environment in which they are able to study and live without any interference from others.

Functions and events are under the jurisdiction of the Residence Advisor and the House Committee in each residence, in consultation with the Residence Development Officer.

All groups who wish to host an event or social gathering must comply by undertaking a process of consultation with the Residence Advisor, the Residence Coordinator or manager of the building and the Residence Life Office, all inclusively. The undertaker should make a request in writing no later than 2 weeks prior to the date of the function or event.

• Orientation
  

The Green Campus Initiative (GCI) focuses on environmental sustainability and greening the campus. GCI has various programs that  focus on:

• Promoting educational awareness and enacting change.
• Development and implementation of green campus programs i.e. Green Entrepreneurship Indaba, Green Fashion Show, save water initiatives and energy conservation and the one residence one garden. Recycling and waste reduction, 

• Sustainable food solutions – One Residence One Garden Project

The one residence one garden project is aimed at pputting students at the center of resolving their own challenges. The project seeks to help alleviate food scarcity and hunger amongst students and is aimed at helping improve nutritional levels and livelihoods.

The Green Campus Initiative Executive consists of the following portfolios:

• Chairperson
• Deputy Chairperson
• Secretary General
• Project Officer
• Public Relations Officer
• One Residence One Garden Champion
• Community Engagement Officer

A platform for female students peer support and development, inculcating a socially cohesive and inclusive environment. A space for female students to unite and find sustainable solutions to societal challenges.  The Qhakaza Ladies Network is led by the QLN executive committee which consists of the following:

• Chairperson
• Project Officer
• Secretary General

There are advisors and mentors who provide guidance and support to the QLN executive. The team works with representatives from various residences to ensure that there are regular programmes in the residences.

There are residence based and central programmes such as:

• Ladies High tea
• Community Outreach Programmes – Donation Drive
• Ongoing Sisterhood dialogues
• Health and Wellness

A platform for male students peer support and development, inculcating a socially cohesive and inclusive environment. A space for male students to unit and find sustainable solutions to societal challenges.

The IMN executive consists of the following:

• Chairperson
• Project Officer
• Secretary General

There are advisors and mentors who provide guidance and support to the IMN executive. The team works with representatives from various residences to ensure that there are regular programmes in the residences.

Programs:

• Mens Conference
• Insika Thursdays – ongoing dialogues

Coming soon