The Department of Financial Accounting has been involved in many community engagement programmes in 2022. On the 2nd of March 2022 we were invited to attend a programme at Reservoir Hills Secondary for Career Guidance. We met grade 12 learners from this school and many of them were interested in studying at Durban University of Technology , showing interest in . Financial Accounting, Information Technology and Management Accounting programmes.

On the 10th of March 2022, the Department went to Durban Girls High School to meet grade 12 learners for recruitment and career guidance opportunities. students were very excited to meet our staff and get the chance to ask questions regarding their careers after they completed matric exams.

On the 29th of March 2022, the Department of Financial Accounting was invited, along with other academic departments from DUT, to support the Sakhindlela Foundation at uMbumbulu, to a high school called KwaJabula High School. This is a rural school, the learners also mentioned that it is hard for them to get information from the libraries and internet café’s, because they are very far. They were all happy to get the information about their careers from our staff members who were there, first hand. We also gave them promotional gifts (learning equipment), CAO Forms discussed the NSFAS Applications process as well as our own contact details for any clarification regarding the applications process, which they all appreciated.

On the 09th of April 2022, the Department of Financial Accounting went to Ridge Park College for grade 12 career guidance. The learners were very keen in meeting the staff and also in getting more information that would be useful to them. On the 29th of April 2022, Department of Financial Accounting went to Crossmore Secondary for grade 12 career guidance, we met grade 12 and grade 11learners, just to receive the same information.

On the 23 – 27 May 2022, DUT was invited by eThekwini Municipality to attend eThekwini Career Exhibition, for grade 12 learners for other schools that are around Durban and larger eThekwini region. This programme was at Durban ICC, the Department of Financial Accounting attended for l 5 days of the Exhibition. This was a positive, engaging outreach initiative, and as a department we were able to assist many learners from different schools

On the 24th of June 2022, Langalomnotho from Kwa Nongoma was hosting a Career Exhibition for grade 12 learners. The Department of Financial Accounting was there just to give more information to these learners and they were given an opportunity to ask any questions regarding DUT as an institution as well as whole also about the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics.

On the 12th of August 2022, the Department of Financial Accounting was invited to the Durban Teachers Centre at Chatsworth, for a programme called “Teacher Development Programme”, to guide or teach teachers from High School who are teaching Accounting, they were all happy and excited to get a guidance from Financial Accounting Head of Department Dr Ferina Marimuthu who took her time, to teach and guide these teachers from this programme. The programme was to inform teachers about what teachers can teach or tell learners what they can expect when they go to University, they also get information on how they can set their assessments to be in line with what and how assessments are carried out at University.

On the 20th of October, the Department of Financial Accounting was invited to attend at KwaNdengezi, at a Secondary School called Dick Ndlovu. The programme was to give clarity to grade 9 learners, on how to select subject choices when they are in Grade 10. They were all happy to get a chance to ask questions and get clarity about their career prospects which would be aligned to the subjects they choose.

On the 25th of October 2022, the Department of Financial Accounting was invited to Spark Estate Secondary. This programme was for grade 12 learners in preparation for NSC Exam. They were doing Accounting Revision. The learners were very happy and the attendance was very good. We received positive feedback from this engagement.

We would like to thank our Executive Dean of Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Prof O Olugbara who gave us support and guidance to attend these programmes to provide a linkage to the other support departments at DUT who conduct these marketing activities to increase our student enrolment.

We would also like to thank our Head of Department Dr Ferina Marimuthu, who shared this information to us and also give us autonomy to engage with the students. She led by example, by attending many of these visits herself, sharing her information and experience that she has to assist these students who need as much guidance as they can get. The department staff were indeed humbled by the condition and circumstances of some of these learners to strive to succeed despite the difficult social and environmental factors that impact on their learning. We are keen to see them register and graduate at DUT and contribute to our economy and society in the near future.