The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, which was built on five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are further supported by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. Recently, Sinamile Sithole from the DUT Communications team engaged in a conversation with Nivar Somaru, Academic Development Practitioner in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and CELT, to explore the significance of the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am an Academic Development Practitioner in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and CELT. My focus is on various aspects of academic development, including curriculum design and development, grant coordination, and the design of short courses. I am also actively involved in policy review and analysis, as well as initiatives to support staff and student development. Additionally, I am involved in various DHET UCDG and DUT Big Rocks projects, ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of ENVISION2030. I am passionately involved in a variety of projects that have the potential to impact the lives and livelihoods of the DUT community.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I have been a member of the DUT family since 2012.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “As an Academic Development Practitioner, I believe compassion is essential for fostering a supportive and inclusive academic environment. It allows me to address the diverse needs of staff and students, promoting equity, collaboration, and well-being. By approaching challenges with empathy, I can inspire trust and encourage positive, transformational change. Compassion also enables me to model the core university values and remaining principles, helping to create a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.”
Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful?
A: “The tagline Creative, Distinctive and Impactful is important for DUT as it encapsulates our identity and values. Its creativity highlights the university’s focus on innovation and original thinking, nurturing exploration and cutting-edge practices. Distinctive emphasises our unique strengths, helping us stand out in a competitive higher education landscape. Impactful reflects the university’s commitment to meaningful contributions to society through research, graduates, and community engagement.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “I actively participate in many Living Values Framework (LVF) sessions for staff and students, as well as review any documentation pertaining to this, such as the DUT Philosophy of Education’s green paper. I do however feel that it is imperative to not only to keep abreast of the LVF, but to embed these values and principles into our daily practice.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “I have a passion for conceptualising, critiquing, planning and implementing innovation and disruptive projects. I am always happy to try new projects and engage in new activities that serve to potentially advance the profile of the University.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “The ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework will benefit DUT by creating a unified culture rooted in shared values such as integrity, transparency, and respect. It will enhance stakeholder engagement through inclusive practices, build trust and align with the strategic objectives of the University. The framework will also serve to promote academic and professional excellence while creating an inclusive environment that prioritises well-being and sustainability. In my opinion this will position DUT as a forward-thinking university that is truly Creative, Distinctive and Impactful.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “I enjoy being a dad most of all and being able to shape the young minds of my kids. I take pleasure in being able to help my kids learn and understand new knowledge, as all knowledge is new until learnt.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “I aim to make a positive impact at DUT by actively engaging in activities that contribute to the well-being and transformation of the DUT community in meaningful and effective ways.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is one that I find truly inspirational: What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “I am hopeful that the work I engage in at DUT, particularly in relation to the DUT Big Rocks and UCDG, will be able to make a developmental difference in the lives of our staff and students. Compassion is the reason I believe in a goal of this nature.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “My wish would be to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students and staff feel empowered to achieve their full potential. I would like to see every individual at the university thrive academically and personally, with access to resources, support, and opportunities that enable them to succeed.”
