The Durban University of Technology has joined forces with Pax College, a Durban based FET college, in a bid to address the skills shortage in South Africa by providing quality tertiary education as well as embarking on effective community development programmes.
This type of business relationship opens doors for more learners to enter higher education. On 27 November 2012, the partnership between the two institutions will be celebrated at a banquet taking place at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus.
One of Pax College’s existing community development projects is the Adopt-a-School initiative, which was launched in 2004. The College has used this initiative to sponsor primary and secondary schools in rural areas predominantly in KZN with fully equipped computer laboratories as well as qualified computer teachers to train pupils. The College has now included DUT in this programme which will translate into more schools receiving assistance.
As part of the Adopt-a-School project, DUT Information Technology (IT) graduates will be recruited to teach computer studies at impoverished schools. This will also benefit the graduates in gaining essential work experience.
DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ahmed Bawa said he welcomed the partnership with Pax College. He added, “DUT wants to create meaningful community engagements and I am confident that this partnership will have a positive result for many young South Africans who want to further their education after high school.”
“DUT’s passion to uplift the country’s higher education system through an effective curriculum as well as its community development measures, made it the ideal institution for us to partner with in this project,” said Brenda Govender, Pax College CEO. She said both institutions are equally passionate about the upliftment of the education system in South Africa, adding that, “this joint venture promises to be a highly professional and long standing relationship for the benefit of pupils and society at large.”
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions was signed on 17 August 2012 by Professor Ahmed Bawa and Ms Brenda Govender.
– Naledi Hlefane
