Durban University of Technology (DUT) approved the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework. The five values are identified as transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. The principles espoused are fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT’s Communications team, Waheeda Peters spoke to Jeremiah Christopher Sylvester, a Multimedia Officer in the Multimedia unit, based on the ML Sultan campus.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am a Multimedia Officer based at ML Sultan campus. We cover most DUT events by providing technical and support services, and our clients are staff, students, departments, units and also external stakeholders.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I have been at DUT for 29 years, more than half my life-time. I guess DUT is embedded in my DNA.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “I associate with excellence, I have always strived to give off my best in whatever situation I am at DUT. This is how I am wired! Ultimately, I am at the forefront of many events and people only remember when something goes wrong, not when a sterling job is done. So, we have to be ahead of the game and on many occasions have to rescue situations because ultimately it is my reputation, multimedia’s and ultimately DUT’s image that is impacted. Respect and integrity, for me this goes hand in hand and compliments each other. Respect is earned and has to be reciprocated, but more importantly so much more can be achieved if human beings put their pride and power issues aside and focus more on, ‘being human.’ DUT is a public institution and you always have to be mindful of the way you interact and associate with all stakeholders, even when you are not wearing the DUT colours. For me, it is a value along with integrity that is indelible to me at all times.”
Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful?
A: “It’s very punchy and ties in aptly with what DUT is trying to achieve through ENVISION2030.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A:“I remind myself daily and question myself in various situations, is this the DUT Way? Is this part of ENVISION2030? At times, I encounter situations that are not in keeping with what is espoused in ENVISION2030 but I realise that I cannot change certain situations and that ultimately I must change and manage my expectations. The change process is a long one and is not going to be achieved overnight.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “I have an old school super bike that I don’t ride much anymore because our roads are not bike friendly.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A; “It will help change the way things have been done for decades. Change management and organisational development is what will help change some of the antiquated ways and thinking still inherent at the university and will help us move into the global sphere.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “Build an empire and then I also go crazy on the tennis courts.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “Continually improve the way I do something. Tweak a little here and there and do it better, quicker and in lesser time. Ultimately, I believe this will realise the five values enshrined in ENVISION2030.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “Work hard, play hard! Do the best I can in every situation and have no regrets. If I can empower, motivate and uplift somebody, then my day is made because I made a positive impact on a fellow human being, who in-turn can do the same to somebody else.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “Leave a lasting legacy. When people do talk about me, it must be for the right reasons.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “It would be world peace.”
