Dear Students
Update on the resumption of the academic programme and the reopening of residences at DUT
Let me start by thanking you and your families for your patience and understanding over the last two weeks. As you know, I had to make the difficult decision to suspend the academic programme, to stop registrations and to close our residences following violent student protests led by the SRC. This decision was made to secure your safety on campus.
We have been negotiating with the SRC as we want to get you back on campus but I made it clear, that we would only reopen once the SRC commits to ending their violent protests that compromised our safety. I am pleased to say that we’ve made progress with our discussions and earlier today, I met with the student leaders in a bid to find a final solution to the current crisis at DUT. I must admit that there was a common willingness from both parties to reach an agreement and to get you back into class and in residence. I also expressed my desire to complete the registration process so that we can move forward with our academic programme for 2014.
Therefore, I am pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the SRC and that our full academic programme will resume on Monday, 10 February 2014. The residences will reopen on Thursday, 6 February 2014 and registration will also recommence on Thursday, 6 February 2014.
I have received a firm commitment from the SRC that the protest action has ended and that there will be no violence, no disruptions and no intimidation on campus.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, the Executive Deans and our academic staff will be working with you to ensure that we make up for lost time.
Once again, thank you to you and your families for your support. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to the amazing staff at DUT who remained at their workstations during this very challenging time.
I wish you a safe and successful semester and I am really looking forward to seeing you back on campus in a few days.
Yours sincerely
Prof Ahmed C Bawa
Vice-Chancellor & Principal
