The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Training (CELT) in partnership with Corporate Affairs held a handover ceremony at ML Sultan campus on Wednesday, 15 November 2023.

Zothando Mkhize the winner of the prize was amongst the students who completed the survey (BUSSE), and she was chosen as the lucky winner. She won a laptop, a laptop bag, and a portable mouse.

The Beginning University Survey of Student Engagement (BUSSE) measures entering first-year students’ pre-university experiences and their expectations regarding participation in educationally purposeful activities during their first year of study. BUSSE is administered as soon as students arrive on campus and the data is available within eight weeks.

BUSSE data also makes it possible for institutions to align their efforts with student expectations, to assess the effectiveness of those efforts with regard to students’ engagement inside and outside the classroom, to conduct data-driven analyses, and to guide institutions in enhancing goal-directed change management.

Mkhize, Business Information and Management student was motivated during Orientation Week where they were told to look through their emails because some may contain prizes given out by the institution. She received an email from the University that had the survey BUSSE and completed it not knowing she was going to be the winner.

“The feeling is inexplicable, I’m filled with joy and happiness as I have won such an amazing prize and all I can say is that look through your emails you might win yourself something too. For me, Christmas came early this year,” she said in elation.

Acting director of the Centre of Education and Training (CELT), Dr Shoba Rathilal congratulated Mkhize for having passion, and the determination to take charge of her learning and therefore completing the survey BUSSE.

“It is true that completing the survey (BUSSE) can enhance your experience at DUT, so we are very pleased that you took your time to let us know your thoughts and the honour of making you part of planning this educational experience. I hope you continue to be blessed and have an amazing journey at DUT as you reap success because of your commitment, so well done and good luck,” she said.

Pictured: Dr Shoba Rathilal, Dr Mzwandile Khumalo, Mrs Nivedhna Naidoo and Zothando Mkhize, at the handover ceremony.

Vuyo Khanyile