The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has adopted the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, centred around five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are supported by the key principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence. DUT Communications and Marketing Officer from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Silindile Buthelezi, recently engaged in a conversation with Ms Esther Joubert, a Quality Promotion Officer in the Centre for Quality Promotion and Assurance (CQPA) 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 a Quality Promotion Officer in the Centre for Quality Promotion and Assurance (CQPA) and attached to the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS). My role is to enhance student success through the implementation of quality management systems and processes. I am responsible for co-ordination of internal and external reviews, user surveys and student feedback, monitoring the implementation of quality improvement plans, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, research, etc. To me, quality is everyone’s responsibility and should be internally motivated, it is the sense of personal pride that comes with knowing that what you have done or produced is of excellence.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I initially joined DUT in February 2012 but had a short hiatus between 2019 and August 2021. This was not a divorce but a brief separation from the family. I have been almost four years in my current role as the Quality Promotion Officer and a total of more than 10 years at DUT.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “Integrity. This can be defined as the quality of being honest and having a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In my opinion, it is almost a precursor or catalyst for the other values and principles. I ensure that I conduct myself with integrity and in this manner, all the other values and principles are also satisfied. Integrity is also aligned to my personal religious beliefs; I hold myself to a high standard and believe in the pursuit of personal and professional excellence.”
Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful?
A: “The tagline is very catchy. It is relevant in that it is aligned to the Philosophy of Education and DUT Statement of Intent. It is more than just a marketing slogan, it is a guiding principle that informs the university’s strategic direction and signals DUT’s ambition to be a Higher Education institution that not only imparts knowledge but also cultivates innovative thinkers and proactive citizens who will drive transformation.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “The DUT Pinboard is my first point of call and I keep a look out for any events or activities which involves the Living Values Framework (LVF). As part of my daily activities, I am always mindful that words without action is meaningless. I therefore undertake to be purposeful in the enaction of the Living Values Framework and in this way, it helps me keep abreast of it.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “There were a few careers that I aspired to but the most eccentric would be that of a long-distance truck driver! The open road and stunning scenery, solitude, beauty and power of the machine and time to reflect, appealed greatly to my younger self.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “It provides a guideline to shape the culture at DUT. By embedding our unique shared values and principles, we can create a thriving academic community that is not only successful in its educational and research goals, but is also a positive and ethical place to study and work.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “To spend time with my three kids, family and friends. The quality of relationships with people adds value to our lives. I also love to remain as active as possible. Where and when possible, I like to travel. South Africa has magnificent natural assets that are food for the soul.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “God has bestowed talents on every person, and it is the honing and practice of our unique attributes that leads to impact. I have a love for education and believe in its power to liberate us, individually and collectively, in more than one way. I plan to use my passion for education to improve the overall quality of the educational experience at DUT. In addition to the duties and responsibilities of my QPO position, I also participate fully in as many DUT events and activities as I can, be it support for our Comrades runners, fundraising or membership of bodies such as the Gender Forum. By being an ambassador for DUT, it has a ripple effect to encourage others to do similar and the collective impact is far greater than the sum of individual efforts.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “Life itself is sufficient motivation. Those who know me, know that I have a personalised car number plate which epitomises me and how I live my life. I have largely intrinsic motivation; the intrinsic motivation is once again my children, family and friends. As a person of faith, religion also motivates me as I strive to be a Christian in all my ways.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “I wish to help DUT achieve its plan for the future i.e. ENVISION2030. I also subscribe to PhiEd and wish to assist with its infiltration into all of DUT’s DNA. On a personal level, I would like to further my studies at the institution and obtain my doctorate.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “To eat anything I want, without getting fat! On a more serious note, I wish there is more humanity and empathy in the world, a brotherhood of man.”
