The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is guided by the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, which is anchored in five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability. These values are further strengthened by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence.
DUT Communications team member Waheeda Peters recently engaged with Sharanam Abbana, Lecturer in the Department of Financial Accounting within the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, to gain insight into the Living Values Framework and its alignment with ENVISION2030.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am a Lecturer in the Department of Financial Accounting within the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics. My role includes lecturing Financial Accounting at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervising postgraduate research, contributing to curriculum development, and supporting student-focused academic initiatives.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “My DUT journey began as a first-year Accounting student and has continued right through to completing my PhD in Accounting at the University, where I now have the privilege of serving as an academic staff member.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “I mostly associate with excellence and accountability. Excellence speaks to the standard I strive to maintain in my teaching and learning, research, professional conduct and student engagement. It also reflects my belief that academic work should be meaningful, relevant and continuously improving. Accountability is equally important to me because the work as an academic directly affects students’ futures. It reminds me to be intentional, fair and responsible in how I lecture, supervise, mentor and contribute to the University.”
Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful?
A: “I believe the tagline reflects what the modern era requires. To be creative is to rethink how we lecture, assess and prepare students for an evolving world. To be distinctive is to develop a unique DUT identity that combines academic knowledge with practical, technology-driven and socially responsive learning. To be impactful is to ensure that our work extends beyond the classroom and contributes meaningfully to students, communities, industry and society. The tagline is not just a statement. It is a guide that ensures our teaching, learning, research and engagement create visible and lasting value.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “I plan to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework by embedding its values into my academic practice through transparent engagement with students, professionalism in my responsibilities, and compassion towards students from diverse backgrounds. I also intend to continue aligning my teaching and learning, research and engagement activities with DUT’s broader vision by contributing to curriculum innovation, industry engagement and postgraduate supervision, with the aim of developing graduates who are adaptive, ethical and able to respond to real-world challenges.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “Most people may not know that beneath the serious academic and accounting side, I do have a sarcastic and witty sense of humour. I enjoy light-hearted banter and often use humour to connect with people and ease pressure.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “The ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework can benefit DUT by strengthening the culture of the institution. It provides a shared foundation for how staff and students should engage with one another, make decisions and pursue excellence.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “In my spare time, I enjoy spending quality time with my close ones. I also enjoy watching soccer and cricket, as well as outdoor activities that allow me to relax and recharge.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “I plan to make a positive impact by continuing to develop students who are technically competent, professionally confident, socially responsible and able to think out of the box. My focus is on making accounting education practical and real-world focused, so that students are not only book smart, but also street smart and able to adapt to changing professional, business and societal needs. Having recently completed my PhD journey at DUT, I hope to use my experience to mentor others and contribute to their academic and professional growth.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “My daily motivation is knowing that I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life every day. Whether it is through guiding a student, offering encouragement, creating an opportunity or helping someone believe in their own potential, I am motivated by the possibility that even a small act of support can have a lasting impact.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “My future goals at DUT include becoming an NRF-rated researcher and continuing to grow as an academic and mentor while contributing meaningfully to the ENVISION2030 agenda. I aim to continue publishing research, supervising postgraduate students, contributing to curriculum innovation and supporting initiatives that connect accounting students with industry and professional bodies. In doing so, I hope to advance work that is creative in its approach, distinctive in its contribution to accounting education, and impactful in how it prepares students for the future.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “My one wish would be for students to have access to the right opportunities, mentorship and support to realise their dreams. Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity is not always equally available.”
