The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Human Capital Services (HCS) Unit hosted the LIVING VALUES FRAMEWORK Soft Launch last week Wednesday, 26 April 2023. The hybrid event was held at Open House, second floor Boardroom and virtually on Microsoft Teams.
The theme of the Soft Launch was: Embedding our values and principles through our daily behaviours.
The motivation behind the Living Values soft launch was to raise awareness and acceptance of the Living Values Framework by the entire DUT community, following the approval and adoption of the Framework by university management in 2022.
The event was driven by the Living Values Framework Project team that consists of role players from various units within DUT. The project team has members from ambits namely: Human Capital Services, Corporate Affairs, Finance, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dean of Students and other units and ISP.
The Living Values Framework soft launch forms part of the Bring-To-Life Campaign (BTL), which is aimed at driving behavioural change amongst students and staff of the University. Behavioural change requires deliberate and consistent execution of a structured employees and students mass mobilisation. The BTL Campaign consists of several actionable activations, that will be rolled out over a period of time. This launch is a milestone in the BTL campaign.
All ambits are encouraged to start their own Living Values initiatives that they can run throughout the year and beyond. These activations will be showcased at the bigger LV Framework launch event that will take place in July this year.
Dr Vuyo Mthethwa: Deputy Vice Chancellor: People and Operations(DVC: PO) encouraged the guests to build the DUT culture and attract people to this university. “It is our duty that DUT staff and students are involved in the embedding of the Living Values Framework into practice and inspire people to do everything the DUT way. These Living Values ensure that we view things from the same lens. Furthermore, it is also our duty and responsibility to ensure that all staff and students within all ambits understand the DUT Institutional Culture and Lived Values,” said Dr Mthethwa.
Keynote speaker, Professor Caroline Parker Assistant Vice-Principal, Values at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) gave a brief insight on the GCU Living Values and Framework journey and the reflection of their Living Values Framework.
“Our role in the University is to help the GCU community create the conditions where colleagues can thrive and do their best. We believe that if staff have the best experience, then students will have the best experience too,” explained Parker.
The Values of integrity, creativity, responsibility and confidence were selected by the staff and students of the University as those we felt represented GCU at its best as the University for the common good.
“Investing in our Living Values Framework made a huge difference in the increase of staff engagement (staff survey), we attract good people who share their values. The GCU staff and students became more confident and successful. It instilled pride in us, fun and celebration of success around work. It became easier to have conversations about behaviors. These Living Values gave us resilience and helped us through the COVID-19 crisis,” she beamed proudly.
Prof Parker also shared a key message with the project team members.
“Embedding values is a journey and good journey’s take time. We have to build our shared values and principles into structures that guide us. The goal is to be the best version of ourselves,” said Parker.
During the Living Values Soft launch, the DUT Executive Management revealed the DUT Living Values Framework. These values include transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, accountability, fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence, as enshrined in the ENVISION2030 strategy.
Mr Avhatakali Nenungwi, Director: Organisational Development and Talent Management at Human Capital Services gave some insights on what they are trying to achieve with the launch of the Living Values and Principles Framework.
“This soft launch is a precursor to a bigger launch in July 2023. We are aware that there is excitement and commitment around the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework across DUT as such we would like to rally the DUT community around this important initiative, through the soft launch as a build up to the bigger launch in July this year,” explained Mr Nenungwi.
In addition, Mr Nenungwi said the current Living Values Framework competition is going very well. He added that they have received an overwhelming number of entries from both staff and students. This competition forms part of the BTL campaign and it will continue for the rest of the year. He also encouraged DUT community to take part in this competition. He also challenged all DUT staff to wear blue jeans and DUT ENVISIO2030 t-shirts every Friday in order to promote ENVISION2030 strategy.
Pictured: Mr Avhatakali Nenungwi, Director: Organisational Development and Talent Management at the DUT Human Capital Services.
Lethukuthula Ngubane/ Nomvelo Zulu.
