Durban University of Technology (DUT) is guided by the ENVISION 2030 Living Values Framework, which comprises five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability. These values are underpinned by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence.

DUT Communications team member Phiwayinkosi Sibiya recently engaged with Amanda Khanyile, a Quality Assurance Administrative Assistant, to gain insight into the Living Values Framework and its alignment with ENVISION 2030.

Q: Kindly tell us about your role at DUT?

A: “I am a Quality Assurance Administrative Assistant, responsible for supporting initiatives that promote the overall quality of DUT. My duties include assisting with programme evaluations and reviews, collecting data for audits, gathering evidence, and drafting meeting minutes that contribute to departmental reports. Through this work, I help identify and close gaps to ensure that DUT continues to deliver quality education to its students.”

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

A: “I started at DUT as a student in 2020 and have continued my journey with the institution up to the present.”

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

A: “I believe respect is the foundation of all the other Living Values. By treating everyone, whether young or old, academic staff, security personnel, or cleaning staff equally, I naturally uphold values such as fairness, honesty, and accountability.”

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

A: “I believe this tagline serve as a reminder that, as members of the DUT community, whether staff or students, we are encouraged to express our creativity within our areas of expertise. This strengthens DUT’s distinct identity and emphasises the power of collaboration to keep the institution growing in excellence and quality.”

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

A: “I plan to read the DUT Pinboard regularly for official communication and updates. I also intend to participate in DUT Living Values training workshops and continue taking part in quality assurance reviews, which reinforce these values. My goal is to help ensure that both students and staff understand the importance of DUT’s Living Values.”

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

A: “Most people do not know that I keep a personal journal where I reflect on accountability, growth, and personal development.”

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

A: “It will help DUT produce well-mannered, responsible, and accountable graduates. This will make DUT an attractive choice for prospective students and a preferred partner for institutions seeking collaboration. It will also strengthen industry partnerships, as employers will increasingly prefer DUT graduates, leading to increased job opportunities for our students.”

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

A: “In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering at church to support community initiatives.”

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

A: “By performing my duties thoroughly and ensuring that all records are accurate, up to date, properly filed, and accessible to authorised personnel. This helps the university make informed decisions and ensures compliance with institutional standards.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “My daily motivation comes from the words ‘I CAN’. For example, I can overcome challenges with a calm mind, and I can grow through every experience.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?

A: “My future goals are to enhance my professional skills by attending training sessions and workshops and furthering my academic studies. This will enable me to contribute to institutional excellence through improved processes and strengthened quality assurance practices.”

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

A: “It would be to continuously grow, both personally and professionally.”