The Durban University of Technology rolled out the red carpet when French Ambassador, Her Excellency Madame Elisabeth Barbier, who met with DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Ahmed Bawa last week at the Steve Biko Campus.

The visit was part of Madame Barbier’s talk to a possible exchange of student and staff as well as academic collaboration. Spearheading the Ambassador’s visit was the DUT International Education and Partnerships Directorate.

Prof Bawa briefed French Ambassador on the DUT history and its current state of affairs. “We grasp with the challenges faced by the City and communities. We are a University which is rooted locally and globally connected,” said Prof Bawa.

He said with the development of the curriculum renewal project at DUT, which is aimed to see young people succeeding, the University wants to put the student at the centre.
Impressed with Prof Bawa’s expressions, Madame Barbier said she was happy to be at DUT as well as to partner with it. “We will help with connection with France Universities, particularly with the Faculty of Engineering,” she explained. She also hinted on the huge opportunities that await Master’s and Doctoral students and staff collaboration.

Dr Loli Makhubu, the Head of Language and Translation Department at DUT, said there was a need to revive the programme which allowed DUT students who study French to visit France.
“The program died a natural dead, maybe we can discuss how we can resuscitate it,” she said.

The French delegation toured the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment as well as the Department of Language and Translation where they engaged with staff and students.

– Thabo Maile

Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Bawa and French Ambassador, Her Excellency Madame Elisabeth Barbier at DUT during last week’s visit.