By: Mandisa Magwaza  

The Durban University of Technology hosted its first official meeting of the Golden Key Chapter on Tuesday at the Student Counseling Centre at Steve Biko Campus.

The aim of the Golden Key International Honour Society is to provide academic recognition to high achieving students, comprising the top 15% in B-tech, M-tech and D-tech for the year 2015. It will also establish professional and social contacts for these students through their network of universities.

The DUT Golden Key Chapter will be housed within the Student Counselling and Health Department.

Giving a message of support, DUT’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Bawa said, “Our University has a special place in society, and has more applications than other universities which means DUT is seen by many communities.”

“There’s a huge responsibility at the university, to provide excess to students and to make sure that they succeed. When I first heard of Golden Key my concern was how do we try to understand, identify students and link them with international students. My Priority is to make sure that the university works for the students,” said Bawa.

This internationally recognised non-profit organisation will bring together students from diverse backgrounds and reinforce student’s interaction with university leaders.

Golden Key Chapter advisor Robyn-Leigh Smith will urge future Golden Key members to encourage and support DUT students who are not golden key members to excel in their studies.

“However I am very excited especially in terms of academic excellence, international relations, creation of networks and opportunities for students.  I am amazed and honoured to be a part of this,” she said.

Selected students will take advantage of the benefits that will include access to various international scholarships, awards, e-newsletters and invitations to golden key conferences and other networking career opportunities.

Stephan Gericke Chapter Relations officer in South Africa said, “This is a way to provide benefits for students who know what it means not to have anything.  The more one is involved the more benefits are to be gained because Golden Key is a resource to provide with opportunities to reach your goals.”