The Durban University of Technology continues to make its mark internationally, constantly forming partnerships with national and international institutions and organisations.

Recently, the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Manipal University, India, which is set to boost teaching and learning as well as training at both institutions. Signed at the DUT Vice-Chancellor’s office, Milena Court, DUT Steve Biko Campus, the two universities were represented by DUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Bawa and Manipal University Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. H. Vinod Bhat.

One of the primary goals of the MoU is to help expand DUT’s Health Sciences Faculty in order to help increase the insufficient human capital in South Africa’s health sector. The MoU also has a number of academic provisions which involve developing collaborative teaching and research links between the two universities by prompting their employees to work together on topics of common interest that can benefit from complementary expertise in both universities.

The universities will also work towards promoting the exchange of research personnel (faculty members, graduate students, post doctoral fellows and research assistants) to carry out collaborative research and to engage in seminars and short courses.

Prof Bawa said there are many possibilities for collaborations and joint offering of qualifications between the two universities, adding that these would definitely be explored. “I think this (the signing of the MOU) is a possibility of a large number of possible collaborations. We had detailed meetings to allow us to go forward. A task team (which will ensure the progress of the goals of the partnership) will also be appointed. There is so much to learn from Manipal,” said Prof Bawa.

Once appointed, the task team would then work towards attracting funding from different sources including the Ministry of External Affairs (India), National Research Foundation (NRF) and other funding agencies (from India and South Africa) to assist in carrying out the said collaborative research projects.

Explaining the motive behind this venture, Dr Bhat said Manipal University has been in all continents except Africa. As a continent that holds the future for the world, in terms of growth, and with South Africa as a driving force of the continent, he said Africa can no longer be ignored.

There are also discussions around establishing online education at DUT. This idea coincides with DUT’s plan to offer 50 percent of its courses online in the next two years. Manipal University’s experience with online education will therefore be useful in launching this form of education at DUT.

– Naledi Hlefane

Pictured: Seated (L-R): Dr H. Vinod Bhat, Manipal University Pro Vice-Chancellor and Prof Ahmed Bawa, DUT Vice-Chancellor. Standing (L-R): Mahendren Moodley, First Rand Bank India CEO; Harrikrishna Narismulu, Hire Intelligence Director and Rajen Padukone, Manipal Hospital Group Managing Director.