The Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) academic and support staff members had the privilege of engaging with the institution’s Executive Management, led by Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, during the faculty-based Townhall meeting on 30 May 2025 at Cane Growers Hall, ML Sultan Campus.
This initiative was aimed at providing an opportune moment for Prof Mthembu to address all staff members in the faculty while opening the platform for engagement and reflection on the faculty’s contributions to the DUT ENVISION2030 strategic plan.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof Fulufhelo Nemavhola, acknowledged the importance of reflecting on the faculty, its departments, and academics’ progress, and mentioned that in 2024, the faculty produced huge research outputs with an increase of almost 140 units.
Prof Mthembu delivered an insightful and thought-provoking presentation on leadership, management, and transformed academia. He relayed that the purpose of the meeting was to introduce the 4 P’s (People, Product, Pennies, and Plans) framework that could help the faculty to begin reimagining academia within DUT and then engage in questions and contributions.
Prof Mthembu spoke about the important aspects in the process of teaching and learning and said that “the most important thing in learning is about how the young people that are before us are experiencing in what is being enacted in an effective, efficient and progressive way”.
Prof Mthembu accentuated the importance of staff development, particularly among academic staff. He stated that to produce graduates who are adaptive and equipped with skills, mindset, and resilience to navigate and respond to change, as emphasized in the DUT ENVISION2030, academics should undergo appropriate training and acquire a fitting level of education.
In closing, the Faculty Executive Dean, Prof Fulufhelo Netswera, gave an inspiring vote of thanks. Prof Netswera expressed his gratitude to the DUT executives for taking their time to engage staff and encouraged the continuation of engagements of this nature.
Pictured: DUT staff members at the Management Sciences faculty-based Townhall meeting.
Thulasizwe Nkomo
