Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Department of Financial Accounting, recently hosted the Accounting Exchange, an industry-academia engagement forum aimed at building stronger partnerships between accounting professionals and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) at Ritson campus on Thursday, 26 June 2025.

The event was facilitated and organised by Dr Anchal Ramsarghey (Advanced Diploma Coordinator) and Sharanam Abbana (lecturer at the Postgraduate level). The forum opened with a welcome address by Deputy Dean Professor MJ Swanepoel.

The event brought together representatives from several well-established, medium-sized accounting firms in Durban.

Professor Ferina Marimuthu, Head of the Department, led the presentations, accompanied by a dynamic showcase of student work. Accounting students Zanele Zuma, Busi Mzila, Nthando Majola, and IT student Thobani Gabuza presented their projects, demonstrating the real-world relevance of their academic work and offering a fresh perspective on current industry practices.

The forum created a platform for engaging discussions on graduate readiness, curriculum innovation, and the evolving nature of the accounting profession. Guests and DUT staff alike valued the opportunity to share insights and forge collaborative pathways for future growth.

“If we’re still doing things the way we did them 10 years ago, we’re already behind. Progress demands that we evolve-together,” said Prof Marimuthu.

Pictured: Attendees at the industry-academia engagement forum.

Professor Ferina Marimuthu