Durban University of Technology (DUT) is guided by the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, which comprises 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, Thubelihle Dumakude, recently engaged with Dr Kabulo Loji, a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Power Engineering, to gain insight into the Living Values Framework and its alignment with ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell us about your role at DUT?

A: “I am a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Power Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. My work spans teaching, research, postgraduate supervision and curriculum development as well as leadership roles within the department. My academic focus is on power systems, renewable energy integration and engineering education. Through my teaching philosophy, ‘Teaching for Learning’, I aim to equip our graduates not only with technical competence but also with adaptability, creativity and societal awareness to make a meaningful impact.”

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

A: “I joined DUT on 3 January 2006, marking 20 years of service. My broader teaching experience extends over three decades across primary, secondary and tertiary levels, which has shaped my belief that learning must be purposeful, rigorous and transformative. Every stage of my journey has informed how I mentor students and develop programmes that meet both academic and industry needs.”

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

A: “I most strongly identify with accountability. It is about taking responsibility for the quality of our teaching, research outputs and institutional contribution. Accountability ensures that our work leads to tangible benefits for students, communities and society at large. It motivates me to maintain high standards in supervision, research projects and curriculum design.”

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

A: “The tagline truly reflects what a University of Technology should embody. Creativity is reflected in how we encourage students to question assumptions and design innovative solutions rather than simply memorise theory. DUT is distinctive because of its applied focus and close links with industry. For instance, the Capstone projects I oversee tackle real energy challenges in KwaZulu-Natal, giving students hands-on experience. Impactful refers to the real-world outcomes of our work, such as improving energy access, enhancing grid stability and fostering economic opportunities. At DUT, creativity and impact go hand in hand.”

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast of the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “I align my daily practices with the Strategy Map, focusing on integrity, professionalism and excellence. I lead with stewardship in committees and research supervision, strengthen curriculum and digital learning systems, and direct my research towards sustainable energy solutions. I also ensure that our work addresses societal challenges with fairness, respect and compassion. Living the values requires action, not just slogans, and must be embedded in teaching, supervision and decision making.”

Q: What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “Many may not know that my teaching journey began long before my doctoral qualification. With over 30 years in education, I have developed a strong belief that teaching must be transformative and deeply human centred. This perspective shapes how I mentor students and young professionals, helping them become reflective, ethical and purpose-driven engineers.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “The Framework strengthens institutional culture by aligning values with strategy. It reduces silo thinking, encourages collaboration across faculties and promotes an integrated approach to teaching, research and community engagement. By emphasising transparency, integrity, professionalism and excellence, DUT builds trust internally and externally, creating a university that is both ethically grounded and strategically future focused.”

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

A: “I enjoy sport and spending time with my nuclear family. I also value reflective thinking and engaging in discussions on education, technology and mentorship. These conversations are an opportunity to share knowledge and support young professionals in shaping their academic and career paths.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “My strategy focuses on three pillars: curriculum innovation, research excellence and graduate preparedness. I integrate real world energy challenges into Capstone and postgraduate projects, expand renewable energy and grid optimisation research to benefit communities in KwaZulu-Natal and aim to produce graduates who are adaptive, solution oriented and aligned with ENVISION2030’s vision of innovative and entrepreneurial engineers.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “I am motivated by knowing that education changes lives. Each lecture, supervision session and research discussion is a chance to shape not just an engineer but a responsible professional and global citizen.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “Aligned with DUT’s aspiration to produce innovative, entrepreneurial and adaptive graduates by 2030, my goals include strengthening research in renewable energy and battery storage with the aim of establishing a dedicated research centre, expanding postgraduate supervision, building international collaborations and contributing to DUT becoming a leading African hub for applied power engineering.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “I would wish that every student who walks through DUT’s doors graduates not only with a qualification but with confidence, integrity, purpose and the ability to positively impact lives and communities.”