Durban University of Technology (DUT) officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, comprising five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are underpinned by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT Publications Officer, Waheeda Peters, recently engaged in a conversation with Zamani Mayeza, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I am the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Faculty of Health Sciences. My role includes recruiting learners from different schools for DUT.”

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

A: “I joined the DUT community in 2017 making it eight years at DUT.”

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

A: “I associate with respect and transparency. I strongly believe that when respect is applied towards one another, work will go smoothly and enthusiasm will be promoted. Being transparent mean that one will know what to do and what not to do in the workplace. As a student recruitment professional, the prospect students will know the kind of university they are applying for and there will be no hidden information.”

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

A: “Being a creative university makes us outstanding among others and it will attract a lot of attention from potential students. Being distinctive also enhances our uniqueness from others universities. I love the last one, impactful, I believe that in anything that we do, be it inside the campus or in our communities, there must be an impact that will strengthen the relationship between us and any community that we are working with. It also makes us to be trustworthy.”

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

A: “To continue being respectful to each individual, to be transparent when doing or saying things and to also be compassionate.”

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

A: “I am a bubbly and outspoken person, but at times I am shy.”

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

A: “It will sustain the university and make it to be trusted by many people in the world.”

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

A: “I love spending time with my family and also communicating with God as I am a religious person.”

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

A: “By spreading love and respect in the DUT community.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “Prayer. I don’t start my day without praying.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT? 

A: “I see myself as a lecturer where I will be instilling knowledge into my students, including all what I have learnt along the way.”

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

A: “To be happy for the rest of my life.”