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 Communications team member, Phiwayinkosi Sibiya recently engaged in a conversation with Dr Sifiso Myeni, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Human Resources Management at DUT, to delve into the living values framework and ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I am Dr Sifiso Myeni, a Senior Lecturer within the Human Resources Department under the Faculty of Management Sciences. I am responsible for teaching labour relations and organisational behaviour modules for the diploma and advanced diploma groups. I am the current Work Integrated Learning (WIL) coordinator for the department. I serve in the faculty of management sciences research committee (FRC) as well as in the Teaching, Learning and Assessment committee (TLA) and most recently, was awarded a recognition award for excellence in Teaching and Learning by the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CELT). I supervise numerous master’s and PhDs in the department as well as hold multiple research grants such as the GOOT future professors grant and the NRF Competitive grant for unrated researchers. In addition to the academic work, I also perform functions of being a Residence Advisor (RA) for the DUT Housing and Residence Life unit where I have gained a lot of exposure on students as holistic beings.”

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

A: “I have served DUT from the year 2017 to date with a break in service of about two years in between.”

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

A: “Professionalism is one principle that is associated with the nature of the HR profession that I am in. As an HR professional I am expected to uphold my oath of office and impart these to upcoming professionals (our students). It is about understanding that our students are our customers as well as our colleagues, so my interaction with them requires a certain level of professionalism when I serve and deliver the required service to them. Another principle closely related to professionalism is commitment. This principle requires one to have a deeper and a more open-minded understanding of why we are here at this university? why am I a lecture? Why have I been entrusted to perform this work and how much does the work I do impact the lives and livelihood of people and families. With that understanding, I am forever committed to the course.”

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

A: “This tagline requires each stakeholder to be an effective and an efficient contributor to the university’s envisioned future. It is not about what you do but rather the impact of what you do to your customers/stakeholders/students. The work I do requires one to impact the community at large and make a meaningful contribution.”

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

A: “ Continuous engagement with students, staff, community, and the profession. In that way I find myself in a better position of being in line with the DUT values.”

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

A: “I used to dance and can still dance ‘Isipantsula’, but I am also a family man who dearly loves his family.”

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

A: “These set of values will benefit DUT if all stakeholders practice and live up to them.”

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

A: “I like spending time with family as well participating in athletics.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT? A: “I plan on embarking on several projects that seek to put DUT on the international map.”Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “I have been appointed to serve”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?

“I  plan on learning and contributing as much as I can to my students.”

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

A: “To have the spirit of continuous learning, for continuous learning comes greater wisdom. Lastly, to always be humble.”