Durban University of Technology (DUT) has confirmed that the academic programme will resume next Wednesday, 10 August…

Durban University of Technology (DUT) has confirmed that the academic programme will resume next Wednesday, 10 August. The university made the announcement today after suspending all classes at its Durban campuses last week. Student residences will reopen a day earlier on Tuesday 9 August.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ahmed Bawa said, “The suspension of academic activities was necessary to restore safety and stability on campus. Our focus now, apart from maintaining the safety and security of all students and staff, is to ensure that we work on completing the academic calendar this semester. We cannot further compromise our students in their quest for an education. I am pleased to say that the deans of the faculties and their teams have re-designed the academic year. The changes to the academic programme for this semester will be given to students by their relevant departments, once classes resume next week.”

Professor Bawa thanked the academic and support staff who will ensure that DUT students complete their academic work this year. He said, “A lot of staff were victims of intimidation and violence and no staff member should ever be placed in that position. However, we have a fantastic group of committed and dedicated staff at DUT who ultimately, have the best interests of our students at heart. We will complete the academic year successfully.”

DUT management closed residences and stopped the academic programme after violent student protests compromised the safety and security of students and staff. The Students Representative Council (SRC) demanded increased financial aid and they raised issues concerning campus security and food quality, amongst others.

DUT now has 8300 students receiving NSFAS packages, which amounts to more than R200 million. Unfortunately, this means that there are currently no extra financial aid funds available for other students.

Last week, DUT obtained a court order against the SRC members and other student protestors. This prohibited the continuation of protests, violence, intimidation of students and staff, damage to university property and the invasion of classes. Professor Bawa confirmed that “the university will work with police and our own safety and security officers on enforcing the interdict. It’s important that the SRC realises that we need to get back into the lecture rooms, back to research and back to studying. Violence is not the answer and we will not tolerate it!”

He added, “Our major priority now is to re-establish stability and peace on campus, so that our academic programmes can run without interruption and students can focus on their academic endeavours.”

Statement issued by:
Alan Khan, Senior Director: Corporate Affairs
Durban University of Technology
031 3732906 or alank@dut.ac.za