The Durban University of Technology (DUT) won four awards at the annual Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Awards hosted at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town from 15 to 16 November 2023.
The conference featured an array of speakers which included keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops that covered the theme of Artificial Intelligence, and a range of topics relevant to marketing, advancement, communication, branding, advancement and alumni relations.
The MACE Excellence Awards takes place annually to recognise and celebrate excellence and the achievements of specialists and practitioners in marketing, advancement and communication in the higher-education sector. These awards were under the media division, which looks at the way institutions get their messages across to their target groups. The competition has three divisions namely; Campaigns, Media and Skills and has 30 categories. All awards are in recognition for outstanding performance among practitioners in marketing, advancement, and communication in the higher education sector.
- A Silver award of Excellence was given to DUT for PRINTED: EXTERNAL MAGAZINES AND NEWSLETTERS CATEGORY- Skills Design-DUT Annual Report.
- A Bronze award of Excellence was given in DIVISION 1: CAMPAIGNS-Fundraising campaigns-(DUT Giving Tuesdays campaign).
- A Bronze award of Excellence was given in DIVISION 2: MEDIA- Printed internal magazines and newsletters-DUT Connect magazine.
- A Bronze award of Excellence was given in DIVISION1: SKILLS-Design for Digital media-SafeU campaign.
DUT Design Studio Manager, Nolathandu Mchunu expressed her excitement on receiving two of the awards, a Bronze for Skills Design in Digital Media for their ‘SafeU’ campaign and a Silver for Skills Design in Printed Media for their work on the DUT Annual Report.
“These accolades not only recognise our design expertise but also underscore our commitment to providing strategic, human-centric marketing solutions. In essence, our studio is more than just a group of designers crafting aesthetically pleasing visuals; we are partners in helping brands tell meaningful stories,” she said jubilantly.
She explained that The ‘SafeU’ campaign in collaboration with the DUT Protection Services Unit, for instance, was not solely about creating eye-catching graphics but was a concerted effort to address a real need on campus and contribute to the safety and well-being of the DUT community and the Design unit helped to sell the story to the right audience.
“The DUT Annual Report in collaboration with the Communications Unit, for which we received the Silver award, exemplifies our ability to convey complex information with clarity and elegance. It goes beyond presenting statistics; it tells a narrative that aligns seamlessly with the goals of our institution. We believe that effective branding in the higher education sector is not merely about creating recognisable logos or visually appealing materials; it is about shaping the very identity of our institution,” she stressed.
Mchunu indicated that these projects have played a pivotal role in aligning with ENVISION2030, and as the Design Studio, they recognise the importance of translating the vision of the institution into visual elements that resonate with its audience.
“Our work is an integral part of the larger strategy, contributing to the realisation of our university’s long-term goals. I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to my incredible team. Their dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence are the driving forces behind our success. Together, we form a collaborative unit that takes pride in every project we undertake. I would also like to express gratitude to our clients, who consistently trust us to bring their visions to life. Collaboration is at the core of what we do, and their confidence in our abilities fuels our passion for creating impactful designs,” she said.
Besides the Design Studio, the Advancement and Alumni Relations Unit were exhilarated with their win. Zwakele Ngubane, Director: Advancement and Alumni Relations, said: “The Advancement and Alumni Relations Unit is honoured to have received two MACE Awards this year, particularly considering the stringent adjudication process and competition involved. It is humbling to be recognised in this fashion by industry peers for the work we do. I would like to thank the team for their hard work and commitment. We hope to make an even bigger impact next year.”
Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT was proud of the team’s achievement. “Congratulations to the incredible DUT team on clinching another four prestigious awards at the MACE Excellence Awards! The creative, distinctive, and impactful work is testament to our DUT ENVISION2030 strategy. The consistent recognition by our peers at MACE over the past 11 years, highlights the excellence that radiates from our university. Here’s to more ground-breaking achievements and continued success as we ENVISION2030 and beyond!”
Also sharing his congratulatory message was the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (DVC:RIE), Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola.
“As the DVC for Research, Innovation, and Engagement, I am thrilled to celebrate DUT’s remarkable success in winning four awards, acknowledging our outstanding performance among practitioners in marketing, advancement, and communication in the higher education sector. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and excellence of our team, reflecting the impactful contributions made across various dimensions. I am particularly pleased that these awards recognise our dedication to ENVISION2030, highlighting our commitment to shaping the future of education through innovative research, strategic marketing, and effective communication. This accomplishment inspires us to continue our journey toward excellence in research, innovation, and engagement, aligned with our long-term vision for a transformative and impactful higher education experience at DUT.”
Pictured: The DUT team at MACE.
Waheeda Peters.
