Durban University of Technology (DUT) is guided by the ENVISION2030 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, Thubelihle Dumakude, recently engaged with Dr Innocentia Gugulethu Mkhize, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, to gain insight into the Living Values Framework and its alignment with ENVISION2030.
Q: Kindly tell us about your role at DUT?
A: “I serve as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the Durban University of Technology. My role encompasses teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervising Master’s and Doctoral students, and contributing to curriculum development and renewal to ensure relevance, innovation, and responsiveness in engineering education.
My research on acid mine drainage treatment in both active and abandoned mines is community-based and socially responsive, involving collaboration with local communities, municipalities, and industry stakeholders to address environmental challenges that directly affect livelihoods and water security. A central pillar of my work is community engagement through meaningful partnerships that seeks to address pressing social and environmental needs.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I joined the Durban University of Technology in August 2022.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “Excellence is the value I most associate with because it reflects a deliberate and consistent pursuit of quality, relevance, and impact in everything we do. For me, excellence is not about perfection or prestige; it is about discipline, growth, and continuous improvement. It means preparing thoroughly for every lecture, supervising students with care and rigour, engaging with communities professionally, and ensuring our work meets both national and global standards.”
Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful?
A: “The tagline captures the essence of a university of technology. Creativity drives innovation in engineering curriculum design and research methodologies. Distinctiveness reflects our commitment to context-responsive education that addresses African and global challenges. Impactful speaks to research that translates into societal benefit, whether through sustainable mine water remediation, industry collaboration, or community-based engineering solutions.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “For me, it’s about living the values daily rather than referring to them only when they are mentioned in policy documents. I try to reflect them in how I teach, how I interact with students, and how I collaborate with colleagues and communities. If I am preparing a lecture, supervising a student, or engaging in a community initiative, I ask myself whether I am doing it with excellence, fairness, and respect. I also stay engaged in faculty activities, teaching and learning conversations, and community partnerships where these values are practiced in real situations.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “Many people are often surprised to learn that, beyond my academic and community commitments, I have a genuine passion for car racing. I am fascinated by the precision, discipline, focus, and strategic decision-making that motorsport requires. The balance between speed and control, risk and calculation, mirrors many principles of engineering and leadership, where success depends on preparation, timing, and the ability to perform under pressure.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “I believe the Living Values Framework gives DUT a shared heartbeat. When everyone shares the same core values, it becomes easier to build trust, work across departments, and make consistent, fair decisions. It helps us move in the same direction rather than pulling in different directions. It also reminds us that innovation must be responsible. As a university of technology, we are creative and forward-thinking, but the Framework ensures that our progress is grounded in integrity, respect, and accountability.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “In my spare time, I dedicate myself to my calling as a traditional healer, which is a significant part of who I am. I engage in spiritual reflection, guidance, and practices rooted in indigenous knowledge systems. This dimension of my life grounds me, strengthens my sense of purpose, and deepens my understanding of community, healing, and human connection.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “I plan to make a positive impact by strengthening the link between engineering education, and community engagement. I am passionate about embedding project-based learning, design thinking, and entrepreneurial thinking into the curriculum so that our graduates are not only technically strong but also confident problem-solvers who can create opportunities for themselves and others. I want our students to see engineering not just as a profession, but as a platform to build sustainable solutions, start initiatives, and contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “My daily motivation is rooted in a motto I learned from my father while growing up: always strive to leave a place better than you found it. That principle has shaped how I approach my work, my relationships, and my responsibilities. Whether I am teaching, mentoring, or engaging with communities, I carry that mindset with me. It reminds me that education is not just about delivering content, but about making a lasting difference, adding value, and contributing positively wherever I am placed.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “My future goals at DUT are to continue strengthening my research impact, expand my postgraduate supervision particularly at doctoral level. I would also like to grow entrepreneurship within engineering education, so that our students graduate not only as job seekers but as innovators and solution creators. I aim to deepen community partnerships linked to environmental sustainability and water challenges, ensuring that our work remains socially relevant and impactful.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “It would be for lasting positive impact where the work I do today continues to benefit students and communities long into the future. I would want to see young engineers rise with both technical excellence and strong values, leading with integrity, compassion, and innovation. That, for me, would be a meaningful legacy.”
