DUT postgraduate students recently held their first consultative meeting with Professor Ahmed Bawa, DUT Vice- Chancellor and Principal, along with Faculty Deans and Research Co-ordinators.

The meeting, which was a platform for the University’s postgraduate students to raise concerns regarding their work and the institution, was held at the University’s Hotel School Conference Centre.

The meeting comes after various dialogues that have been conducted by the Post-graduate committee in conjunction with the University’s Research and Postgraduate Director, Professor Sibusiso Moyo, regarding grievances as well as the sharing of ideas. These dialogues, which Professor Moyo and the PG Association had, saw a need for an opportunity to gather all PG students (National, Local and International) in a meeting to form as one voice.

PGA President, Kunle Oparinde, said the challenges faced by post-graduate students varied from accommodation to proposals taking too long to be approved. “It’s difficult for any student to progress in their studies if they are hindered by hurdles which they sometimes have no control over. It has come to the association’s attention that the problems faced by PG students seem to be escalating,” he said.

According to Oparinde, the writing of proposals over a year hinders students and accommodation issues as well as issues concerning home affairs were the main problems that PG students were facing at the University especially international students. “The University needs to put more effort in addressing issues faced by students. Survival of the student in completing their research is very important but students cannot achieve that when faced with challenges,” he said.

In his address and response to PG students, Professor Bawa assured students that the University was working towards fixing problems that have been raised with the institution. “I understand the frustrations and the challenges each one of you are facing and we are doing our best to address issues that our students are facing. All issues, whether faced by undergraduates or post-graduates, are being addressed,” said Prof Bawa.

Further advising the PG students, Professor Bawa encouraged them (students) to conduct research or write research that can be published in reputable journals. “Focusing and producing or even being a co-author of a published paper will not only earn you good results in your projects but it will be good for your curriculum vitae,” he said.
Further elaborating on Professor Bawa’s sentiments, Prof Moyo encouraged the spirit of working together between students and the University in order for all parties to get positive feedback and research excellence.

PG students who were not part of the meeting and not aware of the committee can like the DUT Post-graduate Facebook page. For more details, they can contact the Postgraduate Association at PGA@dut.ac.za or its President, Kunle Oparinde at kunleoparinde123@gmail.com.

– Noxolo Memela