The Durban University of Technology (DUT), through its Student Governance and Development unit, successfully hosted the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Engagement and Networking Dinner with Student Leaders on Tuesday, 08 April 2025, at the Riverside Hotel in Durban. The event served as a strategic platform to inspire and empower members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Central Housing Executive (CHE) with the skills and insight needed to lead with integrity, ethics and purpose within the university and in their broader communities.

Opening the programme was Ms Sthembile Mjadu, Interim Director of Student Services in the Midlands. She warmly welcomed all attendees and expressed her appreciation to the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu for creating space to engage directly with student leaders. “We are grateful for the opportunity to engage with you, Vice-Chancellor,” she said.

Highlighting his commitment to what she described as academic and accidental innovation that positions DUT not only locally but also on a global stage. She added that engagements like these are crucial for exploring new ideas and strengthening leadership development. “I encourage our student leaders to take both mental and literal notes, so that the lessons they gain here become lifelong tools in their leadership journey,” she said.

Dr Clement Moreku, Dean of Students at DUT then officially set the tone for the engagement. He acknowledged the student leaders for participating in the preparatory quiz, which formed the foundation of the dialogue. “The Vice-Chancellor will guide us in our engagement, using insights drawn from the quiz you were asked to complete,” said Dr Moreku.

He reflected on the DUT educational philosophy, quoting: “Our creativity and innovation shape adaptive graduates who transform society.” He noted how various tools such as Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning are being used across DUT to shape agile, ethical, and socially responsible graduates.

“We are here not just to nurture academic ability but also to instil strong values and character. Leadership must be defined by both competence and integrity,” he emphasised.

Professor Mthembu expressed his appreciation to the student leaders for attending and for their active participation. He noted that while he had received several questions from the students ahead of the event, he also designed a quiz to challenge their thinking. Reflecting on a quote by Ronald Bannet that says higher education is not about learning, he clarified its deeper meaning stating that higher education should be about generating new knowledge and using it innovatively to create solutions. “It’s not easy, but that’s what university is for,” he remarked.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal further explained that DUT’s unique philosophy moves beyond simply preparing students for the workplace.

“We realised the traditional model of training students for employment was no longer sufficient. The economy has changed, jobs are scarce, and our role as a university is to develop graduates who can adapt and innovate,” said Prof Mthembu.

He urged student leaders to be agents of change in their communities by doing something different and use their education as a tool for transformation. He also encouraged student leaders to reflect on how they will leave their mark at DUT.

“Don’t leave DUT the same way you came in, leave with impact, and leave with a purpose,” said Prof Mthembu.

During the student reflection session, SRC Sports Representative, Fezeka Majombozi from the Durban campus shared her gratitude

“I would like to thank our Vice-Chancellor for this powerful and insightful engagement. It has reminded us of our responsibility to be adaptive and creative, and to be leaders who leave DUT ready to transform our communities,” said Majombozi.

She added that as student leaders, they now better understand the importance of not only representing students but also embodying the DUT vision in everything they do.

Closing the session was the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane, who gave the official vote of thanks. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor for taking time out of his busy schedule to engage meaningfully with the student leaders, despite some initial logistical challenges.

“Your leadership through the quiz sparked reflection and deepened our understanding of what it means to be student leaders at DUT,” he said.

Dr Nkonoane noted that such engagements are critical in fostering a culture of collaboration and ethical leadership.

“We hope to have one more engagement before the end of the current SRC term to continue building on what we’ve started,” said Dr Nkonoane.

Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane, Dean of Students, Dr Clement Moreku with students after the engagement.

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.

Sinamile Sithole