DUT’s outstanding student services staff got early Christmas presents at the university’s Annual Student Services Awards event recently which is aimed at motivating and honouring the members of staff who go the ‘extra mile’ in their work.
The awards event was held at Emakhosini Hotel and had an overwhelming turnout of student services staff. Each student services department at DUT nominated outstanding staff for the year and the winners were honoured with engraved crystal trophies and presents.
Naseem Haniff from DUT’s Department of Student Counselling and Health had a Hollywood Golden Globe moment as she scooped both the Most Outstanding Manager and the Student Services Dean’s awards.
Under Haniff and her team, the Department of Student Counselling and Health at DUT has secured a grant for its HIV/AIDS centre and it has seen a remarkable increase of students who get voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS. Her department also got an award from the Department of Higher Education and Training for its continued and exceptional performance in continuing the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS at the institution last year (2013).
Haniff said she was ecstatic that her work was recognised and thankful to her strong team that have made great strides in strengthening the department’s goals throughout the year.
Thulile Duma who serves under the office of the Dean of Student Services and Development won the Most Outstanding Staff Member award. Duma has made great efforts in supporting many student services departments at DUT and has played a pivotal role in promoting interdepartmental cohesion.
Mthokozisi Mnculwance from DUT’s HIV/AIDS Centre and Anita Da Silva Pita from the Department of Student Counselling won the outstanding staff awards in their respective departments.
Outgoing Head of Department for Sports Administration, Nomsa Mahlangu, nominated Indresan Pather for the best staffer award in her department. Pather has been an outstanding asset in the department of Sports Administration and has overseen support mechanisms for upcoming sports talent at DUT. He has also been actively involved in grooming the royalty of sports at the University for the international stage.
Musawenkosi Mthalane from the Department of Housing and Agendri Naidoo from Student Governance Department won the outstanding awards in their respective departments.
Sithembiso Sigidi’s hard work paid off as he threw the outstanding staff award in DUT’s Financial Aid and Scholarships department in the bag. Sigidi is part of the team that is responsible for thousands of prospective and current students at DUT who need financial support for smooth studying at the university.
DUT’s Dean of Student Services and Development, Amar Singh, said he was impressed with some of the staff’s performance throughout the year and advised the staff to be geared to work with the students with the same spirit when the University opens its new academic year in 2015.
– Gift Nyamapfene
Pictured: The winners of the Annual Student Services Awards show off their awards at Emakhosini Hotel.
