The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Midlands Department of Applied Management Sciences hosted its Annual-Term Review Workshop and Staff Awards Ceremony on Monday, 6 December 2021 at Ascot Inn in Pietermaritzburg.
The esteemed guests who attended this event were DUT Midlands Campus Director: Dr Joe Molete, Applied Management Sciences Head of Department (HOD): Professor Bongani Dlamini, Executive Secretary to the Midlands Campuses Director: Mrs Silindile Qwabe and Applied Management staff.
Prof Dlamini welcomed everyone, reflecting on the previous Mid-Term Performance Review Workshop and congratulated Dr Albert Agbenyegah on his new title of being a Professor.
“The purpose of this event is to discuss the negative and positive outcomes encountered in both teaching and learning, and also give awards to acknowledge the hard work done by our departmental staff,” said Prof Dlamini.
Furthermore, he highlighted that from the year 2020-2021 the Department of Applied Management had about five Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) graduates, they have published more than 25 articles and eight books chapters. They worked with students in community engagement, hosted their first Fostering Innovative Advances in Applied Management (FINAAM) Virtual Conference which was attended by local and international guests.
The event was facilitated by the Public Relations Lecturer, Mr Nyane Mofokeng and there were open discussions with regards to some of the issues faced by the department.
“It is essential that we collaborate and integrate our modules as lecturers not only in the classroom but be innovative to find ways for the students to interact in the real world, as this will further enhance students’ engagement and prepare them for their future careers,” explained Mofokeng.
The open discussion consisted of a reflective exercise where the applied management staff highlighted positive and negative experiences in the teaching and learning arena, the development of an online policy governing student behaviour and their online representation, the importance of implementing innovative teaching strategies and better communication amongst lectures and how to collaborate with the Innobiz Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
After the discussion, Dr Molete, Prof Dlamini, Mr Mofokeng announced and handed the awards to the winners. The different awards categories were: Teaching and Learning Excellence, Innovation Excellence, Research Excellence, Community Engagement Excellence, Service Recognition and Certificate of Appreciation.
Ms Thembisa Mjwacu, a lecturer from Applied Management (Public Relations and Communications) was overwhelmed and shared tears of joy when she received four awards from the mentioned categories. She expressed her sincere gratitude to Prof Dlamini, colleagues, students and everyone who nominated and voted for her.
“I feel so honoured, appreciated and most importantly inspired to do more to contribute to the brighter future of our students, as well as our department. To my students, this was a huge surprise as I thought our endless fights were a guarantee for you to put me in the red zone. I appreciate how you see excellence in my teaching even in the midst of such and sincerely hope the knowledge we have shared will make us all better people. Thank you for encouraging me to do better,” said Mjwacu.
Lecturer, Dr Luther Zogli expressed his happiness for receiving the awards for teaching and learning, innovation excellence and research excellence.
“It is such a good motivation that my hard work is making an impact. I am encouraged to improve my knowledge, skills, and abilities to keep contributing to the economic development and the university as a whole,” explained Dr Zogli.
He further encouraged other colleagues to keep up the good work and gave thanks to God for his endless mercies, Prof Dlamini for mentoring and believing in him, the support from colleagues, students and his family for always being there.
Dr Molete shared an inspiring presentation on the importance of going deeper within oneself to be productive and succeed in life.
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of such a beautiful event where the staff is motivated and encouraged that whatever they are doing is recognised and it contributes in the development of our region. I know it has been a rough year and everyone has given their best to ensure that the students are getting better and well-deserved education. I am delighted to see our people being creative, innovative and adaptive to the changes of the world, which speaks to our strategy map: ENVISION2030,” stated Dr Molete.
In his closing remarks, he thanked everyone who attended the event, and all the DUT staff for the daily effort they put into their work.
Pictured: Staff from the Department of Applied Management Sciences who were awarded for their hard work. (Photographer: Vusi Dlamini).
Zanele Mashaba
