The Durban University of Technology (DUT) officially opened its campus for the 2026 Open Week on Wednesday, 06 May 2026, at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre on the Steve Biko Campus in Durban. This ongoing three-day annual event, led by the Student Recruitment Unit, is scheduled to conclude on Friday, 08 May 2026.
The DUT Open Week is designed to provide high school learners from Grade 9 to Grade 12 with valuable insights into the university’s programmes, faculties, and departments.
Among the schools in attendance on the first day were Durban North College, Amanzimtoti High School, Grosvenor Girls High, Hillgrove Secondary School, Ogwini High School, Protec Tongaat, Risecliff Secondary, Seatides Combined School, Rossburgh High School, Durban Girls’ Secondary School, Velabahleke Secondary School, Sompukwane Secondary School, Poqabulungu High School, Mandlethu High School, King Bhekuzulu High School, and Nondanisa Secondary School.
On the opening day, thousands of learners engaged with various DUT departments and units, receiving detailed information and answers to their questions.
Mr Alex Mdletshe, DUT’s Student Recruitment Manager, expressed his satisfaction with the first day’s turnout, which saw 25 schools and more than 2 708 learners in attendance.
“This year’s opening was quite impressive. Normally we are not this busy on the first day, so to see such a turnout is quite amazing. It was a very successful day today,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation for the strong turnout of academics and various departments. He commended the way they engaged with both learners and teachers.
This year’s Open Week included lab tours, giving schools the opportunity to explore the institution’s facilities and gain a deeper understanding of its laboratories.
Siphokazi Mtshali, a representative from the Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics Department, shared how students were eager and showed great interest in learning more about the course. She also noted that most learners who showed interest were female.
“Their questions are quite impressive. They want to know more about the course and the requirements of the programme,” she explained.
Ms Siyabonga Msane, a Lab Technician from the Medical Laboratory Science (Biomedical) Department, said although learners know about the course, they do not fully understand what it entails. She further explained that initiatives such as Open Week help bridge that gap by bringing information directly to learners.
“The interest in our course is very positive, although learners do not have enough knowledge about our field. Such opportunities are important not only for learners, but for the department as well, as they allow us to share information about our courses,” she explained.
Ms Nokukhanya Manzini, a teacher from Poqabulungu Secondary School in Mandeni, said such initiatives are important as they ensure that learners make informed decisions when choosing careers.
“On behalf of our learners, we are very appreciative of this opportunity. This is important for our learners as they get exposed to various careers, which will help them after matric when they decide which path they want to take,” she said.
A Grade 12 learner from Durban Girls’ Secondary School who aspires to be an entrepreneur, Surprise Dhlamini, described the experience as eye opening. She shared that she discovered many courses within Business Administration that she had not previously known about.
“I have learnt a lot here. I discovered that there are many careers in the business field, including accounting and business marketing. I would also like to encourage my fellow learners to attend DUT Open Week,” she said.
Ayanda Ngcongo from Mkhumbi High School, a Grade 9 learner driven by her passion for helping others, said she wants to become a nurse. She was amazed to discover the many career opportunities at DUT that she did not previously know about.
“I would not lie, I am amazed by what I have learnt here. There are many courses that interested me which I did not know about. I also got an opportunity to ask directly about nursing, which is what I am interested in, and I never had this opportunity before. It was my first time,” she expressed.
Mandy Msomi, a Grade 9 learner from Sompukwane Secondary School who is interested in medicine, said she now understands the steps she needs to take to fulfil her dream of becoming an Otolaryngologist one day.
“As I am in Grade 9, I now know which subjects I need to choose in Grade 10 and what the requirements are. I have also discovered that there are many careers in medicine. I can venture into nursing or dentistry,” she explained.
The DUT Open Week continues, with the institution expecting thousands more learners from various schools to attend and explore the wide range of courses on offer.
Pictured: Learners at the DUT Open Week.
Vukani Langa
