The Durban University of Technology (DUT) in line with its ENVISION 2030 values of being a caring university hosted a Matric Learners Webinar on Tuesday, 3 November 2020, streamed live via Microsoft Teams.
The online event included four panellists, namely: Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, who is DUT’s Deputy-Vice Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Sinenhlanhla Memela, a n-GAP lecturer at DUT, Professor Noddy Jinabhai, a Research Professor and Consultant at DUT and the University of Fort Hare (UFH) as well as Sindisiwe Dlamini, a registered counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF).
The event was moderated by DUT’s Zwakele Ngubane who is from the Advancement and Alumni Relations Department.
Starting the conversation was Prof Sibiya, who urged matriculants to believe in themselves and their capabilities. She also encouraged the learners to apply at DUT through CAO.
“Do not let a soul in the world to tell you, you can’t be exactly what you already are,” she said.
Giving tips on eating healthy for optimal exam performance was Memela. She based her presentation on the motto “brain health is key health”. She advised learners to divert their whole energy on their studies rather than on everything else that is happening, like the pandemic COVID-19 and its effects.
Stressing the importance of being safe was Prof Jinabhai, who spoke on the seriousness of COVID-19. He acknowledged that learners will be writing their exams at various and different environments, emphasising the importance of wearing masks and social distancing. “The classroom should be arranged in such a way that there is at least one to 1.5 metres space between the desks,” he said.
The last speaker, of the event was Dlamini, who gave the learners some tips on coping strategies, time management and study skills during COVID-19. She raised an important point, saying that learners should concentrate and focus on the things one can change rather than the ones one cannot. She also encouraged learners to be organised and to manage their tasks efficiently.
Pictured: One of the speakers at the online event, Sinenhlanhla Memela.
Nikiwe Sukazi
