In an effort to address the ever present need for the marketing of programmes and courses of the Durban University of Technology in the Midlands region, the Student Services & Development Department and the Career Resource Centre jointly hosted the DUT Midlands Open Day in August.
From the Student Services and Development Department, Sibongile Bulose gave the learners and teachers a formal welcome while Career Resource Officer Nonto Mhlongo enlightened the visitors on the purpose and importance of this day.
“The basic premise of this event is to provide school learners from local schools with valuable information about the courses and programmes offered at the Durban University of Technology, with emphasis on the courses offered at the Midlands campuses,” said Fathima Haffajee, the Director of Student Services and Development at the DUT Midlands Campuses.
The exhibition had an overwhelming turnout of 24 teachers and 1160 learners from nine high schools which included high schools from outlying areas such as Ladysmith, Escourt and Winterton.
The fields of eco tourism, civil engineering, education and nursing were popular as the majority of learners were enquiring most about them.
The exhibition was made possible by the partnership and close working relationships between academic and service departments based at the Midlands Campuses.
“It was a pleasure to host the Industrial Engineering Department from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (at the DUT Steve Biko Campus). This was the first time a department from Durban has exhibited in the Midlands,” said Haffajee.
The activities of the day included screening a DVD on “How to choose a Career”, a presentation by the Central Applications Office (CAO) and a learners’ and teachers’ walk about of exhibits.
An evaluation of learners ‘responses revealed that the Open day was very useful and that learners’ impressions of DUT were very positive, Haffajee said.
Pic 1: The team that made the DUT Midlands Open Day possible.
Pic 2: Learners visiting the different exhibition stands.
