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DUT inaugurates world class scientist as Vice Chancellor

DUT inaugurates world class scientist as Vice Chancellor

Media release

Durban University of Technology inaugurates world-class scientist as Vice-Chancellor Durban University of Technology (DUT) is proud to announce the inauguration of Professor Ahmed C Bawa as Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The prestigious event will be held on Saturday, 26 March 2011 at Steve Biko Campus’s Fred Crookes Sports Centre, at 11am. A celebratory dinner will be held on Friday, 25 March at 18:30, at the Exam Hall on Ritson Campus.

The formal ceremony marks the official beginning of Prof Bawa’s term of office at the helm of the University since he assumed duty in September 2010. The gala event will be attended by distinguished guests, staff, students, government officials, and captains of industry with the keynote address by Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor MP.

As a lead up to the inauguration, a programme of interesting seminars will be held on Friday, 25 March at the Ritson Campus Conference Centre (see below for more information).

Prof Bawa’s strategic vision as a scientist and educationist is focused on partnerships and collaborative efforts in academia and across sectors, geared towards expanding the university’s scope beyond South Africa’s borders. He is indeed a distinguished world-class academic whose expertise has served the private, corporate and government sector, locally and internationally. Prof Bawa holds a PhD
in Theoretical Physics from the University of Durham. He also works in the area of Science and Society and Higher Education studies.

His focus on economic growth and reconstruction through education aims to create a vibrant culture of collegial unity, research capacity building and academic freedom. His endeavours are focused on strengthening DUT’s approach to learning and teaching through the innovative use and implementation of technology and the embedding of the institution in development challenges in a local context.

Please indicate if you will be attending the dinner or seminars on Friday, 25 March, or the Inauguration on Saturday, 26 March. Email Raylene by Wednesday, 23 March 2011.

For more information or an interview with Prof Bawa, please contact:

Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
DUT Communications Manager
Office: 031 373 2899
E-mail: raylene@dut.ac.za

Bhekani Dlamini
DUT Media Officer
Office: 031 373 2845
E-mail: bhekanid@dut.ac.za
Mobile: 083 299 7972

Friday, 25 March 2011
Academic Seminar Programme
Conference Centre on Ritson Campus

Session 1: The Durban University of Technology in its Urban Location

Time: 10am
Speaker: Len Rosenberg, Research of Curries and Surrounds (ROCS) Co-ordinator
Presentation: The historical roots and cultural heritage of Curries Fountain and its precinct

Time: 10:30am
Speaker: Dr Mike Sutcliffe, eThekwini Municipality City Manager
Presentation: Town Planning for connecting tertiary education to the culture, heritage and economy of
the broader Curries Fountain urban complex

Session 2: Academic, Cultural and Artistic Freedom, Human Rights, Science, Society and Development

Time: 2:00pm
Speaker: Prof Ahmed C Bawa
Presentation: Science, Society and Development

Time: 2:30pm
Speaker: To be confirmed
Presentation: The Status of Academic, Cultural and Artistic Freedom in South Africa

Time: 3pm
Speaker: Prof Karthy Govender, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Presentation: The Status of Social and Economic Rights in South Africa