The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu said his appointment to serve as the Board Member of Umgeni Water is a great opportunity for deepening DUT’s partnerships with government, its agencies and enterprises.

Prof Mthembu was appointed to the board of the second-largest water board in the country (Umgeni Water), alongside 11 other new members of the board. The new board will serve a term of four years.

“Quad-Helix of partnerships are about universities entering into partnerships with government (and its agencies and enterprises), business/industry and the broader society. This appointment demonstrates just that” said Prof Mthembu.

“DUT already has a partnership with Umgeni Water, a state owned entity. A number of our teaching-learning and research-innovation programmes actually serve the interests of Umgeni Water and various other entities. Thus, being the Board is just one way of strengthening this partnership and it allows us to demonstrate the impact we are making in the water sector, especially through our Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology,” he added.

Prof Mthembu said he hopes to use his extensive experience in executive management to contribute towards sound management of the institution. “I hope to contribute to, amongst others, good corporate governance, strategic management, organisational sustainability, and efficiency and effectiveness of service to Umgeni Water’s stakeholders,” he said.

He added that it is important for leaders in academia to contribute towards the development of various structures of our society including government entities. “For optimal impact, academics should be out there where they want to make a mark. We also need specialists in government and industry to engage with academia all for the benefit of our broader society,” he added.

Pictured: Prof Thandwa Mthembu.

Nduduzo Ndlovu