Durban University of Technology

Durban University of Technology
Type Public University of Technology
Established 2002
Vice-Chancellor Professor Thandwa Mthembu
Administrative staff
 2647
Students 30400
Location Durban & Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Website http://www.dut.ac.za/

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a leading University of Technology in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. It was formed in 2002 following the merger of Technikon Natal and ML Sultan Technikon and it was initially known as the Durban Institute of Technology. It has five campuses in Durban, and two in Pietermaritzburg. In 2018, approximately 30400 students were enrolled to study at DUT. The University is one of 5 technical institutions on the African continent to offer Doctoral Degrees. The current Chancellor is Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi.

History

The Durban University of Technology is a result of the merger, in April 2002, of two technikons, ML Sultan and Technikon Natal. It was named the Durban Institute of Technology and later became the Durban University of Technology in 2007.[1]

KwaZulu-Natal’s Indian population began arriving in the 1860s to primarily work as indentured labourers on the sugar plantations. In 1927, those with no formal educational qualifications were threatened with repatriation. This threat stimulated adult classes in literacy, as well as a range of commercial subjects, held in a mission school and a Hindu Institute, but it was not until after the Second World War, and thanks to substantial financial support from the public, that ML Sultan College came into being. It would be another decade, however, before the City Council, now preoccupied with the structures of the first Group Areas Act of 1950, allocated suitable land for a permanent campus.[1]

The Natal Technical College was founded in 1907 and immediately began providing tuition to more than 350 part-time students. The structures of apartheid as it was codified through legislation weighed heavily on this institution as well. In 1955 the college was taken over by national education authorities; and in 1967 it became an exclusively white institution.[1]

Councils

  • Mr Wiseman Madinane is the Chairperson of the University Council.
  • Ms Dudu Hlatshwayo is the Deputy Chairperson of the University Council.

The DUT student body elects a Student Representative Council annually..

Campuses

  • Brickfield Campus, Durban
  • City Campus, Durban
  • Indumiso Campus, Pietermaritzburg
  • ML Sultan Campus, Durban
  • Ritson Campus, Durban
  • Riverside Campus, Pietermaritzburg
  • Steve Biko Campus, Durban

Academics

In 2017, the university employed 631 academic staff, 49 percent of them female and 48 percent holding masters and 22 percent doctoral degrees.[1]

Professor Thandwa Mthembu is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of DUT. Some of the other senior members of the leadership team include:

  • Professor Thandi Gwele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching & Learning
  • Professor Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Engagement
  • Dr Isaac Machi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, People & Operations
  • Dr Thiru Pillay, Acting Registrar
  • Mr Rodney Mthethwa, Acting Chief Financial Officer

The six faculties include:

  • Faculty of Accounting & Informatics
  • Faculty of Applied Sciences
  • Faculty of Arts & Design
  • Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Faculty of Management Sciences

Each Faculty is led by an Executive Dean. The academic ambit of DUT resides under the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching & Learning .

Centres & Institutes

  • Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
  • Centre for Continuing and Professional Education
  • Centre for Social Entrepreneurship
  • Confucius Institute
  • Co-operative Education with Work Integrated Learning
  • Enterprise Development Unit
  • ICON International Centre on Non-Violence
  • Invotech Innovation Hub
  • Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology
  • Institute for System Science
  • Space Science Centre
  • The Energy Efficient Technology Station
  • Technology, Transfer & Innovation
  • Urban Futures Centre

Research

The Durban University of Technology has made significant strides in recent years to improve research output. The University recently held their 2017 Research and Innovation Awards in Durban.

Student enrolment

Whilst the Durban University of Technology offers contact learning, DUT is also a member of COIL, which is the Collaborative Online International Learning consortium .

Therefore, the University offers outstanding opportunities for undergraduate and post-graduate students across multiple disciplines. DUT qualifications are recognized internationally.

In 2017, there were 29,496 contact students, 24,545 of whom were full-time and 4,951 were part-time. Of these, 28,905 were South African citizens, 426 from other SADC countries, and 165 from non-SADC countries (actual data, 2017).

Alumni

The University has a large Alumni body. . Mr Wiseman Madinane is the current President of the Convocation and Chairperson of the Convocation Executive. The University has a list of famous Alumni, including Gordon Murray, Mpume Langa, Jeremy Maggs, Alan Khan, Sean Wisedale, Nokuthula Sibiya, Deena Naidoo, Aakash Bramdeo and Lance Klusener amongst many others.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Durban University of Technology". Sarua.org. Retrieved 2012-08-03.

Coordinates: 29°51′05″S 31°0′26″E / 29.85139°S 31.00722°E / -29.85139; 31.00722

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