Amar Singh, the Dean of Students at DUT and Ayanda Ngidi, DUT Student Representative Council (SRC) President have welcomed new and returning students to the University.
Singh urged students to make use of the quality services provided by the Student Services Division, including Student Counselling and Health, HIV/AIDS Centre, Careers Resource Centre, Financial Aid, Student Housing and Residence Life, Student Governance and the DUT Sports Centre.
“I urge you to make use of these services as they exist to help you attain your educational, personal and career goals in a diverse, nurturing and safe campus environment. I wish you a rewarding and successful stay (at DUT),” said Singh.
Ngidi encouraged students to keep the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela alive. “On behalf of the SRC, I would like to welcome all students to the year 2014. We hope it will be a smooth year for all DUT students. Last year we lost a cadre of our movement, a world icon and father of the nation who wanted South Africans to be educated. Therefore let us all embrace the freedom to be educated and use every opportunity given to us,” said Ngidi.
Once you have been accepted and have registered for your course, the University becomes your home away from home. The below resources will assist in ensuring a happier stay at the University.
Student Counseling and Health
Durban
Steve Biko Campus, Lower Library Complex
Office hours: 08:00 to 16:30 (Monday to Friday)
Contact: (031) 373 2266
Pietermaritzburg
Riverside Campus, J104 – 19 Aberfeldy Road, Scottsville
Office hours: 08:00 to 16:30 (Monday to Friday)
Contact: (033) 845 8833
The Student Counseling and Health unit is multi-functional. This department is sub-divided into three divisions: Student Counseling and Careers Resource Centre, Isolempilo Campus Clinic and the HIV/AIDS Centre. Each unit performs the following:
• Student Counselling and Careers Resources centres can be accessed in Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The centres offer a wide variety of services which include individual counselling for personal and relationship issues, study skills counselling, information on bursaries, assistance with CV writing as well as interview skills and preparation for interviews.
• Isolempilo Campus Clinic is a clinic only available in Durban. The staff is well trained to offer primary health care, including the management of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases. Other services in the clinic include health education and awareness, blood tests, pap smears and medical circumcision.
• For voluntary counselling and testing (HCT) and HIV/AIDS education, visit the HIV/AIDS Centre. The centre also provides support groups, regularly hosts community outreach programmes and is actively working on integrating HIV/AIDS education into the University’s curriculum.
Student Housing
Durban
• Gate 5, Steve Biko Campus
Office hours: 08:00 to 16:30
Contact: (031) 373 2217
Pietermaritzburg
• 13 FJ Sithole Road, Imbali, Indumiso Campus
Office hours: 08:00 to 16: 30
Contact: (033) 845 9007
Student Housing strives to provide accessible and affordable accommodation that is conducive to learning. It aims to ensure a pleasant and enriching experience for DUT residence students. The Department offers various life programmes which include multiculturalism and diversity, sport, indigenous games and recreation, community outreach and environmental awareness (AGCI), women empowerment and residence education. There is also first year residence orientation.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Durban
• Lower Library Complex, Steve Biko Campus (next to Student Counselling and Health)
Office hours: 08:00 to 16:30
Contact: (031) 373 2768
Pietermaritzburg
• Riverside Campus, 19 Aberfeldy Road, Scottsville
Office hours: 08:00 to 16:30
Contact: (033) 845 9086
This department administers student loans and bursaries pledged by donors to financially needy and academically deserving students. Applications for NSFAS can be done online at www.nsfas.org.za. It is important to note that financial aid is granted only to fulltime registered students who are South African citizens. The allocation of funds is based on financial need and academic merit. Bursaries and loans are not renewed automatically each year. You must reapply for bursaries and NSFAS loans.
Fred Crookes Sports Centre
• Gate 5 Steve Biko Campus (opposite Isolempilo Campus Clinic)
Office hours: 08:00 to 16:30
Contact: (031) 373 2925
This is where you find all your sporting activities. The Centre invites all DUT students to participate in the variety of its sporting activities. The centre is planning to introduce indigenous recreational sports such as umlabalaba (checkers), amagenda (playing stones) and intonga/induku (stick fighting).
Student Governance
• 4th Floor, Open House Building, corner of Steve Biko (former Mansfield) and Ritson roads (above the Standard Bank building)
Office hours: 08:00 to 16:30
Contact: 031 373 2674
This department aims to institute a co-curricular programme that enriches student life, promotes diversity and supports effective student development and governance. Some key services of the Department include providing critical, high quality support and interventions to all students, providing professional training, information and consultative services to ensure the development of student leaders, preparing elected SRC members to assume their position and providing leadership and development as well as training seminars. The Department plays a pivotal role in accommodating students with disabilities. It also facilitates the orientation programme for first year students.
What else can be found at your University?
THE EDGE student magazine: This magazine is about students, with some of the content contributed by students. Published quarterly, it is fun yet informative.
ConDUiT university newsletter: This bi-monthly newsletter is the University’s flagship publication and is for staff and students. It covers human interest stories, research, academic excellence, etc.
– Noxolo Memela
