The University of Life Changers (ULC) society branches from the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Student Governance unit. Its primary aim is ensuring that DUT students are well informed about ENVISION2030. The society has been hosting programs that are focused on educating DUT students.

Explaining in depth about the University of Life Changers society was Nompumelelo Ngcobo, who is a Tourism Management student at DUT. She serves as Secretary of the society. Ngcobo’s role is to provide behind-the-scenes work for the organization.

“University of Life Changers was established by Thulani Mkokstad. It is a registered organization and has been operating since 2016. It only became affiliated to DUT’s Student Governance unit in 2019 by a group of innovative students. However, due to COVID19 the organization did not affiliate from 2020 until 2022. We have managed to get back and be affiliated this year,” said Ngcobo.

Ngcobo added that University of Life Changers society was created to motivate students and uproot their understanding of DUT, and further install the new DUT Way of ENVISION2030. Their focus area is to create an ‘ENVISION2030 student’. They hope to achieve that by enforcing the DUT values to students and creating programs that can educate students about DUT ENVISION2030 living values framework. This will assist students in solving issues they are facing at residences and in both their physical and mental being as well.

Moreover, the society does not only focus on the DUT community, but it also accommodates high school learners who have a desire of studying at DUT. Ngcobo emphasised that they wish to prepare prospective DUT students in applying ENVISION2030 before they join the DUT community.

“In every successful organization there are like-minded people set on achieving one goal. One of the criteria of the organization that one must meet in order to qualify as an executive member, is having to first complete a digital marketing course on Google. This course is a 1-day course, after that course you can be elected into the executive. By setting these high standards, we, as the organization want the best team to run the organisation successfully,” said Ngcobo.

In 2019, the University of Life Changers hosted programs that helped DUT graduates that are struggling with academic issues. Through these programs, they were able to help students finish their qualifications in record time, develop entrepreneurial mindset and ensure that the graduates are adaptive.

Pictured: UCL members at one of their events

Nikiwe Sukazi