As Vice-Chancellor of this University, my primary concern will always be the safety and security of the students, staff and property in my care. I am also mandated to protect, at all times, the pursuit of knowledge through teaching, learning and research at the University…

As Vice-Chancellor of this University, my primary concern will always be the safety and security of the students, staff and property in my care. I am also mandated to protect, at all times, the pursuit of knowledge through teaching, learning and research at the University.

My decision to suspend the academic programme on Monday 25 July is underpinned by the need to put in place measures that will ensure that the University returns to a state of sustainable peace and stability – without which the pursuit of knowledge is impossible. We must ensure that as a nation we can rely on the provision of quality higher education. DUT has a rich tradition of higher learning where young minds are nurtured and new knowledge is pursued.

On Monday, 18 July the Student Representative Council (SRC) raised a number of issues with me. The main issue concerned financial aid for first-year students. This year, DUT has 7800 students on financial aid packages from the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Two weeks ago, NSFAS confirmed that they would allocate to DUT, extra funds to assist 500 additional first-year students.

The position of the SRC is that all students who qualify for academic entry into the University and who qualify for financial aid must be provided with financial assistance. I do not in principle disagree with this. However, I did make it clear to the SRC that this was out of the hands of the University since financial aid is determined at the national level.

It is primarily this issue that led to the recent violent disruption of the academic enterprise at DUT by a group of students. By the beginning of this week the level of the violence had escalated to a point where I had no option but to call for an immediate and indefinite cessation of the academic programmes of the University.
We are taking firm steps to ensure that stability returns to the University with a view to returning to what we believe we do best – delivering quality education in a student-centred environment.

The academic programmes at the University will resume shortly and students will be informed, in advance, through the media and through the use of electronic communication.

Thank you for your support and understanding during this challenging period.

Yours sincerely

Ahmed C. Bawa
Vice-Chancellor and Principal