The Faculty of Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted its first Executive Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, at the Arthur Smith Hall on the City Campus in Durban.
Leading the session was DUT’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, who shared reflections on the frequency of such engagements before the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that visionary initiatives, such as ENVISION2030, were born in that transitional period. The session not only reinforced DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategic plan but also served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, reflection, and collaborative problem-solving. Professor Pholoho Morojele, newly appointed Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design, voiced his full support for the university’s strategic direction and philosophy of education. He thanked faculty members for their active participation and applauded Professor Mthembu for his inspiring presentation.
Going forward, the Faculty of Applied Sciences hosted the second strategic Town Hall Meeting which took place later in the day at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus. It brought together academics and support staff for an in-depth strategic dialogue with the university’s executive management team, led by DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu.
This high-level meeting formed part of a broader institutional engagement series designed to strengthen internal collaboration, accountability, and academic innovation under DUT’s strategic framework, ENVISION2030.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof Fulufhelo Nemavhola, who opened the meeting, emphasised the critical role of innovation in higher education. He encouraged staff to actively contribute to DUT’s future through research, entrepreneurship, and reimagined learning approaches.
Taking the podium, Prof Mthembu delivered a compelling keynote address titled: “Transformed Academia at DUT”, highlighting the university’s evolving academic landscape. His address was anchored in DUT’s Philosophy of Education (Phi-Ed) and the university’s distinctive 4Ps Framework: People, Product, Pennies, and Plans.
“Every staff member at DUT is both a leader and a manager in their own right,” said Prof Mthembu, reinforcing a culture of shared accountability. He challenged staff to move beyond traditional teaching models and to embrace their roles as facilitators of transformation.
Focusing on the People pillar, Professor Mthembu stressed the need for staff to be credentialed and empowered to lead transformative learning. He emphasised formal training in learning facilitations as essential to academic excellence.
The Product component called for innovation in curriculum design and graduate attributes, with a stronger focus on entrepreneurship and real-world relevance. “We must ask what kind of mindset we’re cultivating in our graduates,” he said.
Speaking to Pennies, he announced a R51 million investment in academic posts to attract and retain highly qualified staff, which he described as critical to achieving DUT’s academic vision.
Under Plans, Prof Mthembu called for alignment between institutional strategy and faculty-level initiatives, reminding staff that functions must follow strategy to ensure systems and structures support academic goals.
The town hall concluded with a robust question and answer session where staff raised questions, shared insights, and expressed strong support for the university’s transformation agenda.
In a heartfelt vote of thanks, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Professor Suren Singh, acknowledged Prof Mthembu and the executive management for their leadership and vision.
“We are committed to building a transformed academic culture that is grounded in our Philosophy of Education. Our ambitious target to reach 100% doctorate-level academic staffing by 2030 reflects our belief that academic excellence is non-negotiable,” said Prof Singh.
He further highlighted the faculty’s milestones in staff growth, programme expansion, and infrastructure that needs to be aligned with ENVISION2030. “We must continue building DUT’s core business of teaching and learning, with intention, innovation, and integrity,” he concluded.
Staff at DUT are urged to continue attending the vital Town Hall Meetings with the DUT Vice Chancellor and Principal and members of the DUT executive management team. The Faculty of Accounting and Informatics hosted its Town Hall engagement, this morning, on Thursday, 29 May 2025, at Ritson campus and the second Town Hall event will take place in the afternoon at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus. On Friday, 30 May 2025, the Faculty of Health Sciences will host its Town Hall Meeting in the morning at Canegrowers Hall, ML Sultan campus and the final Town Hall Meeting, under Management Sciences, is scheduled to take place later the same afternoon, at Canegrowers Hall, ML Sultan campus.
Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, leading the Town Hall presentation.
Photography: Khulasande Tshayile/Thembinkosi Ntshangase
Silindile Buthelezi/Nkosingiphile Dladla
