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13 DUT Excellence 2025 | Semester 1The EDUVOS Durban International Book Fair (DIBF) recently took place at the EDUVOS Umhlanga Campus. The theme %u2018Once Upon a Time%u2019 highlighted the festival%u2019s commitment to promoting a culture of reading and storytelling, particularly among young children. The five-day literary feast featured book launches by novice and established authors of novels, poetry and academic works; workshops on cover layout and design; creative writing and publishing; and a range of competitions, including a hugely popular chess tournament and the %u2018Mind Blown League%u2019. The event was open to the public and it attracted more than 3 000 visitors, including local schools, community organisations and book publishers. As an acknowledgement of DUT%u2019s ongoing support and commitment to promoting literacy and reading in Durban, the Institution was granted the privilege of naming one of the three allocated rooms used for book launches and workshops. The DUT Cheryl Roberts Stage hosted over 50 book launches %u2013 22 of which were academic %u2013 fiction and works of poetry that were authored by current and former DUT staff and students.Some of the DUT student authors featured at the fair included %u2018One Chance%u2019 and %u2018The Legacy Series: Erased by Time%u2019 by Huvanya Naidoo; %u2018A Dubious Alliance%u2019 and %u2018The Legacy%u2019 by Dumo Xaba; %u2018Life Beyond the Karman Line OUTERSPACE%u2019 by Dr Thabani Mazibuko; %u2018Suicide Note%u2019 by Sboniso Manqele; and %u2018Izimpumputhe%u2019 by Samukelo Dlamini.Nine Graphic Design students also launched their literature books for children, which they authored, illustrated and published as part of a second-year project. The titles were: %u2018Leo and the Sea Turtle%u2019 by Taariq Chetty; %u2018Wash Your Hands%u2019 by Sinoyolo Tantsi; %u2018Emihle%u2019s River Rescue Mission%u2019 by Lusanda Mzolo; %u2018Thembi and the Umgungundlovu River%u2019 by Reese Pather; %u2018Tony the Whale%u2019s Big Problem%u2019 by Mpathwenhe Ndaba; %u2018The Adventure of Maya and Mr Hooterman%u2019 by Jadene Pillay; %u2018Heart of the River%u2019 by Nikhiel Pakkiri; %u2018Mkhulu and the Wooden Guitar%u2019 by Siyaphila Mbuyazi; and %u2018Tales of Togetherness%u2019 by Tyrese Ramgopaul.DUT STAFF AND STUDENTS FEATURE IN THEPRESTIGIOUS DURBAN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIRSeven DUT staff also launched their academic works at the book fair: %u2018A Framework for Continuous Quality Improvement for Fast-track Queues in Clinics in eThekwini%u2019 by Dr Dudu Sokhela; %u2018Information Services for a Sustainable Society: Current Developments in an Era of Information Disorder%u2019 by Dr Collence Chisita; %u2018Biomass-based Bioplastic and Films: Preparation, Characterisation and Application%u2019 by Dr Oluwatoyin, Joseph Gbadeyan and Prof Nirmala Deenadayalu; %u2018The Dynamics of Residential Satisfaction in Low-income Human Settlements in South Africa%u2019 by Dr Godfrey Musvoto and %u2018Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic%u2019 by Prof Fulufhelo Netswera. These academic sessions were really engaging as the audience was able to relate to the societal impact of the research.Two works of poetry, %u2018Onions and Irises %u2013 Home Poems%u2019 by Dr Mar%u00ed Pet%u00e9 and %u2018Just Hustle OK%u2019 by Ms Lee Scott were also launched.The majority of the DUT staff and student launch sessions were expertly facilitated by DUT colleagues Dr Jeff Mkhize, Mr Barry Lottering (Department of Graphic Design) and Mr Romeo Matumba (Library).A key feature of the DIBF was workshops to assist young writers Pictured: DUT student authors%u2019 book launch: Ms Huvanya Naidoo, DUT staff member, Mr Romeo Matumba, Mr Sboniso Manqele and Mr Dumo Xaba at the book launch.