Durban University of Technology (DUT) officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, comprising five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability. These values are underpinned by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence. DUT Media Officer, Simangele Zuma recently engaged in a conversation with Dr Nonhlanhla Mbatha-Mtshali, Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I am currently the Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology. My department and Faculty of Health Sciences are very close to my heart. In all I do as an employee at DUT, I always consider the success of the students and staff upliftment.”

Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?  

A: “I joined DUT in June 2004 which makes 20 years of my life spent as a DUT family member.”

Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?  

A:  “Integrity, because I believe that it sort of speaks to most of our values and it’s something that all of us should live by. It makes one do what will be right in a right way at any point in time and situation whether seen or unseen.”

Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful? 

A: “This DUT tagline guides our daily thoughts, plans and activities as students and staff so that we don’t just do things anyhow and keep the status quo. It requires us to think about being creative and find better approaches to our work that will be distinctive and making a mark within and outside the university, in the society.”

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?  

A: “By putting the values and principles at the centre of my daily activities.”

Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?  

A: “As much as I wish for people to be happy but I also want them to be accountable for their actions.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT? 

A: “It will only benefit DUT if staff and students embrace and live by the values and principles even after they have left DUT. If this happens “correct” people will be attracted to DUT. When our graduates perform acts that are creative, distinctive and Impactful that will link back to DUT because they will always be identified as DUT Alumni.”

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?  

A: “Spend time (indoor/outdoor) with people that make me smile or laugh, I like filling my cup with happy thoughts and just enjoy to be alive.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?  

A: “As long as I don’t sacrifice my integrity, I believe the impact will stay positive to DUT.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you and always remembering that what goes around comes around.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT? 

A:” My time at DUT is short ahead before I exit but having said that my goal is not to stop seeking new knowledge and contribute to the health sector.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

A: “I would wish to turn back the hands of time to continue to contribute positively to the profession and my department.”