The Human Capital Services (HCS) in partnership with DUT Business School at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) held a Leadership Development session as part of the academic Heads of Departments Leadership Development Programme. This initiative aimed to enhance leadership and mentoring skills within DUT. The event took place on Thursday, 5 June 2025 at Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban.
The Director: Organisational Development and Talent Management, Mr Avhatakali Nenungwi welcomed the delegates and guests and expressed gratitude for their presence.
Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, took the stage to introduce the guest speaker, Professor Jonathan Jansen from Stellenbosch University.
Professor Jonathan Jansen.
Professor Jansen is a luminary in the field of education with over 30 books to his name, including the acclaimed Leading for Change (Routledge, 2016). He is known for his seminal contributions over four decades to the advancement of education scholarship through advanced research and publication, scholarly teaching, university management, science leadership and educational innovation.
In his interactive and stimulating engagement with participants under Leadership Development theme, he underlined the core essential elements of being a successful HOD. Including the most effective strategies for attracting and retaining HODs.
Additionally, he highlighted that for an HOD to succeed in his/her mission to drive academic progress, it is vital to create a healthy work environment.
Additionally, he posed thought-provoking questions to participants while he allowed them to ask questions while continuously engaging in discussions which the delegates thoroughly engaged in.
Professor Jansen used relevant case studies to drive key leadership points home through an interactive learning approach.
Dr Sean Jugmohan from the DUT Business School briefly shared a presentation on Mentoring Principles and Guidelines which was meant to remind HODs of the details of mentoring as they prepared to sign the mentorship agreements.
“We want you to become many other things as well as strive for different things, as you grow within the university. So, our presentation is designed to take the next step in building strong meaningful mentor mentee relationship,” added Dr Jugmohan.
Participants were given an opportunity to meet in pairs of mentors and mentees to discuss and agree on their development goals and sign the mentorship agreements. The mentorship initiative forms a critical part of the HOD Leadership Development Programme. Mentors and Menees will continue to meet and work on their developmental goals over a period, ranging from six to 12 months.
The Acting Head of Department in the Faculty of Arts and Design’s Video Technology department, Dr Lance Lütge who was one of the attendees, said he is very appreciative to DUT for getting the group of academics here together.
“We are thankful for this opportunity which gave us some guidance in terms of how we should bid to ourselves as academic leaders and as HOD’s,’’ said Dr Lutge.
The overall enthusiasm shown by the cohort of HOD’s was overwhelming and the feedback was positive.
More sessions will be conducted virtually and face to face, the last session on this programme will take place in October 2025.
Pictured: Attendees at the HOD Leadership Development Programme.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Vukani Langa
