The Durban University of Technology (DUT) signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) on Tuesday, 7 February. The institutions were represented by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Bawa and Rector Professor Jinsong Wang respectively. This MoU signifies partnership, in the form of curricula exchange and research, between the DUT and UESTC engineering departments.

The meeting was attended by senior members of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, the International Education and Partnerships office and delegates from UESTC.

Professor Bawa said: “When democratic change was effected in 1994, South Africa looked to build relations with Europe and the USA, overlooking Africa and the rest of the world. Europe and the USA had been influential, even with regards to curricula. But, there is a growing interest for DUT to work with universities in China.”

Professor Wang said he was pleased to learn that the institutions have similar objectives in terms of community development and research collaborations. “I wish to thank the Engineering department for initiating this partnership and I hope this relationship will be strengthened as we move to the future,” he said.

Professor Bawa also pointed out that a similar partnership, between DUT and China, existed last year. The partnership included a research project which saw DUT’s Biotechnology lecturer, Dr Paul Mokoena and Chinese scientists conduct research on fermentation.

– Naledi Hlefane