By: Lucky Khanyile

The Durban University of Technology’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ahmed Bawa, has revealed the strategy of changing old and slow computers in the institution’s labs.

Prof Bawa was responding to claims that the computers in most labs are slow and very old.

Some computer labs are said to still be using old models of computers and these have hindered the efficiency of some students’ academic performance.

Bawa said, “The university has a five-year cycle for the replacement of computers and since there are approximately 5 000 computers at all our campuses, this means that we must replace
about 1 000 per annum.

Depending on whether the university has sufficient resources or not, this target is not always met.”

However, Bawa mentioned that unless if there is a formal complaint they receive from any faculty regarding the matter, they are prepared to fast track the process.

“If it is brought to the attention of the relevant dean that the computers are old and slow, then we may be able to fastback the replacement of those,” Bawa said.

A first-year Art Extended student, Stanford Mbili, said that their computers are very slow and when you hurrying to get your work done, the computers give you a hard time.

“The internet is too slow in some computers especially at the library.

There are computers that are still there but they are not working so they need to be removed and fix the ones that are slow,” said Mbili.

According to Bawa, the faculties are responsible for the functioning of their respective labs.