The Durban University of Technology Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Thandwa Mthembu has congratulated employees and students for their dedication and outstanding work which ensured that DUT was a preferred university locally and internationally.

 The vice-chancellor was delivering his vote of thanks during the Council Gala Dinner and Staff Awards on Friday at the Ocean Reef Hotel, Zinkwazi Beach.

The DUT Council awards recognizes exceptional performers who promote the ethos of student-centeredness and engagement.  These awards were attended by Council members, lecturers, projects leaders and external stakeholders. Professor Mthembu during his address made a commitment to increase prize money for the recipients, saying they were a lifeblood of the university.

“People who are being awarded do over and above what happens at the university. These are the people who help us as a university, they give us our brand as an institution and it is important that staff feels recognised,” said Prof Mthembu.

He thanked the university council for introducing the awards and said they were going to be a common feature and will serve as a motivation for excellence in rendering the best service at DUT. “The reason why we are having these awards is because of council. We all have a vision of taking DUT to an enviable position,” he said.

Professor Khehla Ndlovu, DVC: People and Operations, said the awards were established in 2015 and served as a stimulator propelling university staff and students’ community to strive for greatness. “These awards honour those who are making a significant contribution to the university,” he said.

Prof Ndlovu who is also the evaluation team chairperson outlined the nomination process followed to ensure that only people deserving were awarded. He further explained that the nomination process was long and rigorous, saying they wanted to ensure greater transparency.

“Part of the things we did was to refine the process of nomination by putting in place an evaluation team.  Submissions happened electronically. Two processes was then followed that of adjudication and evaluation,” explained Ndlovu.

Some of the categories included the engagement award, student-centeredness award, building a sustainable student communities of living and learning, building a learning organisation, the knowledge project award and internalising the university award.

Pictured: Wiseman Madinane (Chair of Council) with Simon Ndlovu one of the award recipients.

Sandile Motha