The Centre for Quality Promotion and Assurance (CQPA) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is once again putting students at the heart of quality improvement through its Student Experience Engagement and Data Collection initiative. The engagement recently took place across all DUT campuses, offering students a platform to reflect on their learning experiences and contribute to shaping a better university environment.

From 6 to 10 October, the engagement covered the Durban campuses ML Sultan, Ritson, Steve Biko, City, and Brickfield before concluding on 13 October at the Indumiso and Riverside campuses in Pietermaritzburg. The events, which ran daily from 11:00 to 15:00, featured interactive spaces where students shared their thoughts, ideas, and feedback on various aspects of campus life.

Through this engagement, CQPA aims to collect valuable insights that reflect the real experiences of DUT students from teaching quality and learning resources to residence life, financial aid, and campus safety. The feedback gathered will guide ongoing efforts to strengthen support systems, enhance learning environments, and ensure every student feels heard and valued.

Among the key focus areas explored through the Student Experience Survey are:

• Academic Experience: Quality of teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Learning Resources & Support: Access to libraries, labs, and online learning platforms.
• Financial Aid: Availability, communication, and efficiency of funding support.
• Residences & Accommodation: Comfort, community, and safety in student housing.
• Health & Safety: Campus wellbeing services and security measures.

Second-year Human Resource Management student Sqiniseko Manqeke described the engagement as an important opportunity for students to influence positive change at DUT. “It was refreshing to be asked for my opinion. Sometimes students feel like their voices do not reach decision-makers, but this survey makes me feel like the university truly cares about our experiences,” he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Nomzamo Ngcobo, a third-year Nautical Sciences student, appreciated the openness of the engagement. “I think this initiative is great because it gives us a chance to be honest about our challenges, especially around learning resources and campus support. It shows that DUT is willing to listen and improve,” she said.

The CQPA team expressed their gratitude for the enthusiastic participation from students across all campuses. The insights collected will play a vital role in helping DUT continue to enhance the student experience, strengthen support systems, and build an even more inclusive and empowering university environment.

Pictured: CQPA staff member assisting DUT students in completing the Student Experience Survey at Steve Biko Campus.

Sinamile Sithole/ Mavelous Radebe