The International Education and Partnerships (IEP) Directorate at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will be hosting the inaugural DUT International Week taking place from 28 July 2025 to 30 July 2025, with academic engagements hosted at the Ritson Road campus and the celebratory closing event Diversity Day at Curries Fountain. The much-anticipated week, which aligns with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, aims to emphasise the development of adaptive graduates capable of thriving in diverse global settings. DUT’s International Week will serve as a platform to showcase the university’s progress in internationalisation and to foster dialogue on critical issues in higher education internationalisation, with a particular focus on the African context.
Giving insight into the forthcoming DUT International Week is IEP Director Dr Lavern Samuels. “Throughout the event, there will be a strong emphasis on virtual engagement and collaborative online international learning (COIL) initiatives. DUT aims to democratise access to international perspectives and intercultural learning opportunities. Importantly, International Week aims to address the critical issue of mobility funding, exploring fair and equitable approaches that allow for the elevation of South African and broader African voices on the global stage. Discussions will focus on strategies for increasing intra-Africa student and staff mobility, as well as expanding opportunities for African scholars to participate in global academic discourse,” he indicated.
The programme for International Week reflects DUT’s commitment to inclusive and transformative internationalisation. Day one will focus on comprehensive approaches to internationalisation in higher education, featuring sessions on inclusive internationalisation strategies and holistic higher education partnerships. These discussions will be framed within the context of the Africa Agenda 2063 and the Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations, emphasising the need for equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships that amplify African voices in global higher education discourse.
Day two of the event will centre on research and community engagement, with a distinct emphasis on international research collaborations and global funding opportunities. The sessions will focus on addressing the current patterns of international research collaboration in South Africa, and speakers will explore strategies for expanding intra-Africa academic networks and fostering more equitable research partnerships. IEP Manager, Dr Divinia Jithoo, shared that a key objective of International Week is to highlight the importance of intercultural competence as a crucial graduate attribute in the current geopolitical climate. “The event will explore innovative approaches to developing intercultural competence through internationalisation of the curriculum and internationalisation at home initiatives, ensuring that 100% of local students and staff have access to international perspectives,” she shared.
The final day of International Week is a public celebration of Diversity Day at Curries Fountain on 30 July 2025. The event, open to all, aims to showcase diversity through multicultural representation, a food festival, and performances. The “Global Village” interactive stations will provide opportunities for students and staff to engage with different cultures, promoting intercultural understanding and a window into DUT’s global community.
The first two days, encapsulate academic discussions and knowledge sharing, are by invitation only. Attendees are encouraged to attend the final Diversity Day event closing DUT’s International Week with a celebration of inclusion. Diversity Day is a public event intending to bring together all members of the higher education community, namely students and all staff. Significantly, The historically Curries Fountain is more than just the venue for Diversity Day, but it also enhances the cultural impact of the event as a historically meaningful Durban landmark for inclusion.
Highlights include the student-led International Food Festival, showcasing cuisines from different regions and cultures, performances, and exhibitions.
Registration link: Register for DUT’s International Week 2025 – https://forms.office.com/r/2PgpqadgJn
Waheeda Peters
