The Durban University of Technology held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, celebrating the start of construction on its new Student Centre and Centre for Entrepreneurship Building.

The new Multi-million building that is part of DUT’s strategic focus area of people centeredness will be located at Steve Biko Campus, gate 4, 5 and 6.

According to Alan Khan, the Senior Director of Corporate affairs at DUT, the Student Centre aims to provide essential social facilities for students such as food outlets, opportunities for interacting with clubs and societies, and the latter providing convenient administrative service to improve customer service and the image of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu officially launched the start of construction with a message quoted from his inaugural speech which was titled transforming, up scaling and developing DUT.

Mthembu said that it’s the ‘up scaling’ part that he is talking about today.

“Over the next five years DUT is likely to see over one billion rand of infrastructure development and up scaling. I wonder how many of those who have left DUT will be able to recognize it after all these projects would have been implemented,” said Mthembu.

Various departments in the institution have been moved to allow construction of the centre, including Student housing. Demolishing of old buildings is set to start soon, Infrastructure Development Manager, Nyiko Gudlhuza assured guests.

Pictured: DUT Infrastructure Development Manager, Nyiko Gudlhuza, Enactus Marketing & Communication Vice-President, Sondelani Mwandla, Professor Sibusiso Moyo-DVC of Research, Innovation and Engagement, DUT Council Member, Zakhele Gumede, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu and Senior Director of Corporate Affairs, Alan Khan.

Sibonginkosi Mabika