Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) met with the Faculties of Engineering and the Built Environment as well as Health Sciences for the RIE Sector Faculty Board Meetings. This crucial engagement was held at their respective campuses at Steve Biko and Ritson in Durban on Tuesday, 26 August 2025.
Facilitating the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment engagement was Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs whilst the Health Sciences engagement was facilitated by Ms Phumzile Xulu, Community Engagement Practitioner under the DVC: RIE office.
Professor Sudesh Rathilal, Executive Dean in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment commended Prof Nemavhola for meeting with them to clarify some of the confusion and discussions that stem from the Town Hall Meetings. Sharing the same sentiments was Professor Gugu Mchunu, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences who expressed her gratitude to Prof Nemavhola for meeting with them for the first time.
Faculty of Health Sciences staff raising their concerns during the meeting.
In both sessions, Professor Nemavhola encouraged the staff to engage and to voice their opinions on the number of pressing issues around research and innovation which were revealed in the Town Hall Meetings that were hosted by the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu. He indicated that the aim of the engagements was to work together in finding solutions to some of the issues.
Sharing the vital statistics around research at DUT, Professor Nemavhola said 36% of academic staff are doctoral holders. He encouraged other staff members without PhDs to work towards registering their PhDs soon as DUT is moving towards making it mandatory for all academics to be doctoral holders. He indicated that 45% of research and publication output is produced by non-permanent academic staff. Prof Nemavhola said this was concerning and encouraged permanent staff members to not only focus on lecturing but also publishing research. He also raised concerns about 40% of research and publication output being produced by those who are 55 years and older. Prof Nemavhola pleaded with the young academics to also work towards publishing their research. Another matter he raised was that 18% of the Doctoral holders are not active in research activities and supervision saying that this was unfair to the other academics who are doing the work and bringing in funding to the university. He encouraged the staff to start publishing, saying it was the only way to shrink the gap and to help increase the DUT international rankings.
Prof Nemavhola had dedicated one hour for engagement for each faculty where the staff members got an opportunity to share their comments or suggestions on some of the research issues. The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment staff raised concerns about the processes and delays on approvals for international conferences. He assured them the processes will be improved within their faculties as this matter now lies with them for approval.
The Faculty of Health Sciences pressing issue was the internet connectivity which most staff felt was interfering with their productivity at work. Prof Nemavhola assured them that alternative solutions were being considered while the university upgrades its infrastructure.
Dr Nomcembo Mthombeni, Interim Director for Research and Postgraduate Support unit addressing the Faculty of Health Sciences staff.
Dr Nomcembo Mthombeni, Interim Director for Research and Postgraduate Support unit spoke briefly on fostering research, innovation and entrepreneurial growth at DUT. She highlighted the four programmes under Research and Postgraduate Support namely Ethics, Research Information Management, Grants and Research Capacity Development. She also shared the names and contacts of the staff heading these programmes for the attendees to get the assistance that they need. Dr Mthombeni said that these programmes enhances research capacity and academic success. She also shared the exciting news that as of Tuesday, 26 August 2025, Prof Nemavhola declared that any new staff member that joins a faculty will get automatic seed funding to help them conduct their research.
Interim Director for Technology, Transfer and Innovation (TTI), Dr Pinkie Ntola highlighted the entrepreneurial and innovative programmes offered under the TTI at DUT. She said the four main programmes were from Idea to Prototype Programme, Innovation Builder Fund, Technology Development Fund and the Alumni Innovators Programme.
Interim Director for Technology, Transfer and Innovation (TTI), Dr Pinkie Ntola during the Faculty of Health Sciences’ Faculty Board Meeting.
She also highlighted the two entrepreneurial units under TTI namely the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation together with the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator which help staff, students and society to develop innovative businesses that drive social change and economic development. Dr Ntola also revealed that TTI also support staff members to apply for support externally through the Technology, Innovation Agency (TIA), therefore encouraging business minded staff and students to reach out to her office for more information or support.
In closing the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Pravita Pillay thanked Prof Nemavhola for his frankness and openness. She said they see it as an opening from his office through the structures for additional support.
Pictured: DVC: RIE, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola during his engagement with the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma
