THE Durban University of Technology (DUT) was recently ranked first position in research amongst the Universities of Technology (UOTs) in South Africa. This is according to a report recently released by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on the Evaluation of University’s Research Output based on its 2018 Research Productivity.

DUT came out 13th position nationally out of the 26 public institutions. The university’s executive management noted this as a major improvement since in the previous reports DUT was usually counted amongst the institutions on the bottom of the list.

These exciting news left the DUT Community of Researchers encouraged to work even harder to ensure that DUT moves to the top 10 on the list of public institutions leading in research. In this report the department applauded the public institutions for their quality research and outputs.

Commenting on the report the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Teaching and Learning (TL)at DUT, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya said it indicates unrelenting hard work and commitment of DUT staff and students in improving the university’s research output. ” This serves as a source of inspiration for other researchers within DUT to build their research profiles,” said Sibiya.

She applauded the DVC of Research, Innovation and Engagement (RIE): Professor Sibusiso Moyo and her team for contributing immensely towards the improvement of the 2018 research output. ” It was through strong interventions, support facilities and services, which include the doctoral mentoring programme for staff, monitoring of postgraduate enrolments, tracking of postgraduate research activity and increased support of external grant applications. The annual research awards ceremonies motivate the DUT community to strive for excellence and scholarship,” said Sibiya.

Prof Sibiya added that these interventions resulted in growth of the postgraduate base, collaborative research projects and publications. She further stated that she believes that regular monitoring and tracking of the research activities to ensure return on investment, would help DUT to succeed.

” There is a very thin line between teaching and learning and research. As a newly appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, I commit to the Research and Postgraduate Support Unit to ensure that DUT moves to Top 10 position,” said Sibiya.

Prof Moyo recently wrote an article unpacking the report and congratulating DUT on its remarkable achievement. Prof Moyo encouraged DUT’s researchers and postgraduate students to continue making an impact. She said they need to find ways to also help with the prevention, care and support initiatives to combat COVID-19. “To this end we also acknowledge the work being done by our staff and students in the research and innovation area with the 3D printing, mask production and supporting our province through various initiatives that help the most vulnerable people within our communities’to fight COVID-19. Even this will come to pass one day!” said Prof Moyo.

Pictured: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Teaching and Learning at DUT, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya is certain that DUT will reach top 10 in the future

Simangele Zuma