The Durban University of Technology Human Resources Management Department team hosted its annual Human Resource Management orientation for the first-year students at the ML Sultan Campus on Tuesday, 25 February 2020.

Sifiso Myeni, who is from the Human Resources Management organising team, said this event aims to provide first-year students with the guidance of the facilities that are available and accessible to them on campus as well as the role DUT plays in enhancing their academic studies.

“Opportunities that are given to you in DUT are lifetime opportunities which you have to make sure that you use. We will be supporting and trying to ensure that you do realise your dreams now and in 2023 when you are graduating,” he stressed.

Welcoming and thanking the students for their attendance to the event was Dr Melanie Lourens-Head of the Human Resources Management Department, who stressed to the students that they should be proud of choosing DUT.

“It a tremendous honour for us that you have selected this institution to complete your academic studies. I want to congratulate you because you have been successful out of a total of more than 7000 student applicants to study at our department of Human Resources,” she said.

Adding further words of encouragement, guest speaker Mandla Shange, Manager Labour Relations: Ethekwini Municipality stressed that it is important to encourage students and give direction to what the labour market looks like.

“You need to start and prepare yourselves for the university life because you were taught while you were in matric that university is a different place to be in. Some of you will be business people so we must give you guidelines so that you will be able to prepare yourselves for the business world,” he said.

Dr Lourens concluded the event by wishing all the students the very best for the year and for their future. She also expressed her gratitude to Sfiso Myeni, Tatenda Chikikwa and Baphiwe Daweti for making the event a success.

Pictured: DUT’s Baphiwe Daweti, Bongekile Mpungose, Dr Melanie Lourens (Head of the Human Resources Management Department), Ms Patience Mutsvairigwa, Writing Centre assistant, Mr Mandla Shange, Manager: Labour Relations: Ethekwini Municipality and Mr Jason Stout, Sports Officer.

Sanele Xaba