To recognise staff and students who have had a significant impact on local, national and international communities through research, learning, teaching and exhibited exemplary behaviour that demonstrates the institution’s Values and Principles, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted its 2022 ENVISION2030 Institutional Awards at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) on Friday, 24 November 2023.
This prestigious event honoured the DUT staff and students who through their efforts had contributed to the development of their society to improve lives and livelihoods.
Facilitating the event were Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs and Mr Avhatakali Nenungwi, Director: Talent Management and Organisational Development at DUT.
The DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu officially welcomed all the attendees to the most prestigious event on the academic calendar.
He then spoke of the DUT ENVISION2030 strategic plan and its statement of intent.
“Our ENVISION2030 statement of intent, is that our people should be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial and adaptive to changes in the world; further, that they participate productively in the development of our locality, region, country and the world,” said Prof Mthembu.
Prof Mthembu stated that DUT is focussed towards transforming society entrepreneurially, he further emphasised the need to improve the institutional culture, that should arise out of its Living Values Framework. “The Living Values Framework requires honesty, amongst many other values and principles, as well as being accountable not just to the university but to ourselves,” he said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof Fulufhelo Nemavhola hands over the Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof Faizal Bux, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology.
Prof Mthembu relayed that, in the past DUT used to have awards only in research and innovation, this year’s Institutional Awards include other important areas of the University. He further commended DUT for being listed as second in South Africa in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal congratulated the winners and reminded them that they will need to demonstrate character in order to maintain their top performance status.
The categories and awardees were as follows:
Council’s Award: Distinctive were awarded by DUT Council member, Mr Zakhele Gumede.
- Dr Martin Kabange
- Ms Stephanie Samuel
Vice-Chancellor’s Award-Creative: Awarded to a project/initiative that influences environmental sustainability, through teaching, innovations and partnerships.
- Annual Research Kaleidoscope
Vice-Chancellor’s Award: Research and Innovation: The applicant for this award needed to show the innovation, its importance, uniqueness, and usefulness.
- Prof Krishnan Kanny
Both Vice-Chancellor’s Awards were awarded by the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu.
The Research, Innovation and Engagement Awards were awarded by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola together with the Director: Technology, Transfer and Innovation, Professor Keolebogile Motaung.
Junior Researcher of the Year Award: The criteria for this award required at least three accredited publication units for the award year.
- The award went to Dr Kunle Oparinde, Institute of System Science.
Senior Researcher of the Year Award: The criteria for this award required at least six accredited publication units for the award year.
- The award went to Prof Saheed Sabiu, Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Woman Researcher of the Year Award: The criteria for this award required a minimum of four accredited publication units for the award year.
- It was awarded to Prof Firoza Haffajee, Faculty of Health Sciences.
Creative Outputs of the Year: The criteria for this award is that the researcher must be currently conducting research and/or engaged in creative productivity. The three winners are:
- Philisiwe Twijnstra
- Clare Craighead
- Dr Jonathan Okewu
Innovator of the Year: The applicant for this award needed to show the innovation, its importance, uniqueness, and usefulness
- Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh
- Dr Olusegun Olagunju
Faculty Researcher of the Year Award: The criteria for this award was that the applicant must be an academic staff currently conducting research and/or creative productivity; must be at the DUT for a minimum of one academic year before applying and have a minimum of 4 accredited publication units (Platinum category) and 3 accredited publication units (Gold Category) for the award year.
Platinum Category:
- Mr Thabiso Msomi, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics
- Professor Jamila Adam, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Dr Zamokuhle Mbandlwa, Faculty of Management Sciences
- Dr Kunle Oparinde, Institute of Systems Science
Gold category:
- Professor Poovendhree Reddy, Faculty of Health Sciences
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Professor Faizal Bux, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology
DUT Distinguished Alumni
- Zakhele Madida popularly known as Zakes Bantwini
- Nkosinathi Maphumulo popularly known as DJ Black Coffee
Research Group of the Year: The criteria for this award required that a group must have at least six accredited publication units in the reporting year.
- Computational and Systems Biology Research Group
Top Doctoral Student Award: The criteria for this award was that the applicant must be a full-time student who is currently studying toward their doctorate.
Platinum category:
- Ayogeboh Epizitone
- Jamiu Aribisala
- Theophilus Adedokun
- Lindokuhle Manyoni
- Ranganai Moyo
- Nhlanganiso Madondo
Gold Category:
- Dr Olusegun Afolabi
- Anu Olagunju
Top Master’s Student Award: The criterion for this award was that the applicant must be currently studying towards their Masters; involved in research and/or creative work and published 0.5 accredited publication units.
Platinum category:
- Nomthandazo Sibiya
- Joseph Akpan
Gold category:
- Athika Ramparadath
- Hagreaves Kumba
- Favour Agbajor
Research Based Business Award:
- Londiwe Ngomane
- Sinovuyo Kraai
Faculty Learning and Teaching Award, it was awarded by the Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences.
- Dr Martin Kabange
- Ms Stephanie Samuel
Programme of the year, awarded by the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane.
- The Men Carve
Keynote speaker, Mr Buyani Zwane, at the event.
The evening culminated with a dynamic keynote address from Mr Buyani Zwane. He is an inspirational speaker, network builder, student, educator and leadership development facilitator. He has been involved in the Human Resources Management, Business and Leadership Development for over 25 years with local and international companies. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at Breakthrough Development (Pty) Limited. His address centred around leadership, success and excellence. He spoke about how winning and excellence should become natural and encouraged the DUT community to go beyond success and look into significance. He mentioned that winning should be a habit and that it becomes the only thing that people aim for.
Zwane commended the ENVISION2030 strategy for bringing inspiration to the staff and students to look beyond the institution but to also work on addressing societal challenges. He spoke at length about how the DUT community must love what they do as it will reflect in their performance thus transforming DUT to greatness.
In addition, Zwane defined leadership as identifying the journey and going to where others have not been without looking for followers. He indicated that good leaders are able to help others shine with the information they share with them.
The closing remarks and vote of thanks was delivered by the charismatic DUT registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane, followed by a scrumptious dinner.
“I take this opportunity to firstly convey our sincere gratitude to our guest speaker for his very inspiring message,” he said.
Dr Nkonoane further encouraged all those who have not made it to try again next year, also he shared his congratulations to all the awardees, saying that DUT is the winner.
Pictured: he DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu officially welcomed all the attendees to the most prestigious event.
Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters
