Students at the Durban University of Technology are an integral part of the University and their contribution towards advancing fresh ideas and innovation from the institution must be recognised.

This was the message by Professor Thandwa Mthembu, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, at DUT’s first Student Leadership Indaba which was organised by the Department of Student Services and Development at the Mansfield Hall, Ritson Campus, DUT, on Thursday last week (23 March 2017).

“I’m appealing to our staff that we must review the manner in which we treat our students”, urged Prof Mthembu. “Students are not customers to DUT but are an integral part of this University because they assist us in the laboratories when we formulate new ideas and innovation that come out of DUT,” he said.

Prof Mthembu said part of the reason he wanted the Indaba to happen was so he could understand the daily challenges that students at the University are faced with. These include accommodation, university facilities, security as well as the attitude of staff members. He said although the Central University of Technology- in which he was VC before coming to DUT- also has similar problems as DUT, he hoped that the Indaba would help him further understand not just DUT’s, but other universities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Prof Mthembu said he was glad that the Indaba went through all its proceedings without any mayhem breaking out as has been the norm at similar gatherings between students and university management in universities around the country. This, he added, shows that DUT student leadership and management have a good working relationship and if they continue to engage carefully, there was enough room for all problems to be resolved.

Prof Mthembu also stressed to student leaders (SRC, clubs and societies) that it was very difficult for him to respond instantly to every statement and concern raised. He, however, added that he had taken notes and will figure out if the problems could be solved in the short or long term and categorise them as such before passing them on to the relevant people who would be tasked with resolving them.

He also warned students against provoking chaos for no valid reasons. He said students who undermine management and the selected SRC to fulfil their own ambitions would not be tolerated.

“We need to understand hierarchies here simply because we need to avoid chaos. You cannot undermine management and the elected SRC and go behind our backs to emerge with your organisation’s jacket claiming to be a leader. I will not allow that,” Prof Mthembu emphasised.

– Bongani Gema

Pictured: Professor Thandwa Mthembu, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, at DUT’s first Student Leadership Indaba.