The DUT Student Services and Development Department held their first departmental workshop on Friday, 16 November 2012.
“The purpose of this workshop is for us to get to know (about)each other and what we do in our departments,” explained the Dean of Students Amar Singh.
The workshop was essentially designed to be a platform on which staff from the Department’s different units discuss their plans for the year ahead. As planned, the managers of the five units spoke about the work that was done in their respective units during the year 2012 and stated their operational plan for 2013. Singh said reflecting and planning ahead is key as it will help improve staff performance.
Although faced with a few challenges, the units had many successes this year. Speaking on behalf of Student Housing, Sthuthukile Mashabane said the unit implemented new programmes in the residences this year and unlike before, students’ participation improved significantly. She said the green initiative at the residences was a major success. “Students took the green initiative in their stride and have been encouraging each other to conserve energy,” Mashabane said.
Naseem Haniff, the Director of Student Counselling and Health was equally excited about the success of new projects launched by her unit. These included World Health Day and the medical male circumcision which is done at the University clinic.
The function also included a staff awards ceremony. Also a first for the Department, this segment of the workshop was a celebration of the most outstanding members of staff in each of the units. The awardees were selected by their co-workers. An additional award was presented for the Most Outstanding Manager.
-Naledi Hlefane
Caption:
Front row (L-R) Sifundo Nkosi from Student Housing unit and Lindsay Mackay from Student Counselling and Health who received the Most Outstanding Member of Staff Awards.
Back row (L-R) The Most Outstanding Manager Malusi Khumalo from Student Governance with the Most Outstanding Member of Staff awardees Nomvula Cele from Student Governace, Gugu Sacolo from Financial Aid and Scholarships, Stanley Govender from the Sports Centre, Nontuthuzelo Goduka from the HIV/AIDS Centre, Lerato Mndaweni from the Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic and The Dean of Students Amar Singh.