Nkosenhle Sibisi

The Durban University of Technology held its second annual State of the University Address, at Fred Crooke’s Sports Centre, on Wednesday afternoon. 

Delivering the address which is aimed at reflecting on the previous performance and the current plan of the institution was DUT’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu. 

This year’s theme was “Envision 2030” as the institution is 28 years and turning 30 in two years’ time. 

Mthembu emphasised that the plan is to improve the institution for the better. “DUT people have at their disposal 21st century-ready state of the art equipment, facilities, and infrastructure. In addition, they have digitized systems and processes and a sustainable resource framework that will endure for generations to come,” said Mthembu. 

The address came a few weeks after there were student demonstrations over issues like accommodation and historical debts. Mthembu mentioned that the institution has a budget to spend on improving the institution’s infrastructure. 

“For 2020, we have a budget of R303 million to spend on student housing, deferred maintenance and other priority projects like improving access for disabled people”.

“We are determined to renovate all our university-owned residences by June 2020; with that process having started in October 2019 already. I hope our students will bear with us as we make our residences state-of-the-art.  Open House building, a building that houses the SRC, some of our student units and nursing education is being renovated at a cost of R34 million”, added Mthembu. 

The university address went smoothly. However, some students were concerned that access was denied to students. DUT student, Leletu Xamba said that she was not happy with the planning of the address. 

“I don’t understand why students were not allowed when the issues discussed also affect students. What is the point of being called State of the University Address if interested students are not allowed? Now we have to read about it on the news”, said Xamba. 

The second Annual State of the University Address will be at Indumiso Campus, Pietermaritzburg, on Thursday, 27 February 2020.