The Durban University of Technology (DUT’s), Faculty of Accounting and Informatics recently hosted an inaugural hybrid Postgraduate Orientation at the Ritson Campus, Engagement Lab.
The main aim of the orientation was to provide postgraduate students with information on resources and support services available to them. The event was attended by various dignitaries from the Faculty and the wider university community, including the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Professor Oludayo Olugbara, Dr Mogiveny Rajkoomar (Acting Research Coordinator-FAI), Dr Ferina Marimuthu (Acting HOD – Financial Accounting), Dr Lulu Jali (Acting HOD – Auditing and Taxation), Dr Zwelihle Nzuza (Senior lecturer), Dr Tlou Maggie Masenya (Senior Lecturer), Dr Mvunabandi (Senior Lecturer), Dr Julius Aroba (Senior Lecturer), Dr Akpa-Inyang (IREC), Ms Sara Mitha (Librarian – Postgraduate Services), Ms Philiswa Mncube (International Student Relations Officer), Ms Phumzile Monageng (Career Resources Officer – Counselling and Health), and Mr Edzani Nevondo and Colleagues at the Research and Postgraduate Support (RPS) Office.
Giving the official welcome was the Acting research coordinator, Dr Mogiveny Rajkoomar from the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, who welcomed everyone to the orientation and introduced the first speaker.
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to our postgraduate orientation for the year 2023 and would like to also congratulate you on registering for your postgraduate qualification,” said Rajkoomar.
Ms Sara Mitha from the Library then presented on the “Library Initiatives and Resources” and relayed to students about all the information and resources provided by the university library. She also stated that the library offers training workshops to postgraduate students.
The second speaker was Mr Edzani Nevondo from the Research and Postgraduate Support (RPS) Division, who presented on the vision and mission of the Research and Postgraduate Support Division. Mr Amater Shange, who is from the same division (RPS) under the Grants Management Unit, followed his presentation. He spoke on the grants that are available for postgraduate students.
Mr Itumeleng Tshabalala from Research and Postgraduate Support (NRF Master’s and Doctoral scholarships and SARAO scholarships), spoke on NRF funding and when the call is opened for Master’s and Doctoral students, encouraging students to apply.
The third speaker was Dr Francis Akpa-Inyang from the Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC), who presented on the institutional research ethics committee processes and what is required during the ethics application process.
Ms Phumzile Monageng from the student counselling team spoke on the support that student counselling offers to postgraduate students, followed by a presentation by the International Office, Ms. Philiswa Mncube.
Ms Nitasha Sing-Sakichund, the Faculty Officer, presented on postgraduate registration and related processes, stressing their criticality from when students start their postgraduate qualification until they finish.
Mrs Ugeshni Moodley, a Community Engagement Officer and Technician within the Faculty, presented on community engagement. The last presentation was from the Faculty Research Admin officer, Mr Sboniso Mjaja, who presented on the postgraduate journey from registration to graduation.
In closing, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Professor Oludayo Olugbara, encouraged students to further their studies and go up to the PhD level,
“You have chosen the right path and should not worry about what you are going through but focus on where you are going,” he said
In conclusion, the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics Post Graduate orientation was an essential event that provided students with all the resources and support they needed to complete their postgraduate qualifications.
Pictured: Sboniso Mjaja, Research Officer who is from the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics. Photo by Sanele Doyisa.
Siphokazi Dlamini.
