Durban University of Technology (DUT) officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, comprising five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are underpinned by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT Russel Zikhali, recently engaged in a conversation with Thabile Shinga, a communications assistant intern at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Corporate Affairs, to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am a Communications intern in the DUT Communications unit at Corporate Affairs. The role that I play has a lot to do with communications support for the entire university, by sharing importing notices on the DUT PinBoard and updating DUT’s official social media pages.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I have been with the DUT family for close to a year now as a staff member, but my academic journey began in 2017.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “Integrity, professionalism and commitment for me reflects a deeply thoughtful and value-driven approach to how I conduct myself in both my personal and professional life. I am drawn towards these values because by associating with them I am not only laying the foundation for personal success, but also positively contributing to the wellbeing of the people around me. These values help me bring about a cohesive approach to life that balances doing what is right and staying committed. These values are important as they help in building trust, respect and collaboration in all areas of life.”
Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful?
A: “It is excellent as these signal an emphasis on DUT’s innovation, forward thinking programmes and I also think it encourages students to explore new research ideas. Distinctive communicates that DUT offers something unique compared to other institutions that sets their students apart from the rest. Impactful, we have seen how DUT doesn’t just focus on academic success but also on how its graduates contribute meaningfully to society, emphasising a focus on real world impact through leadership and social change.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “To live them, walk them, talk them and wear them on my sleeve. That is the only way that it will help me to engrave these values on my core, as the name suggests, living values.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “Most people do not know that I am a twin.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “The ENVISION2030 Living Values Frameworks will benefit DUT by fostering a positive campus culture, enhancing student development, strengthening community engagement, attracting and retaining talent, improving DUT’s reputation and credibility and aligning the mission with action.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “I like reading and doing research on any topic that interests me at that point, listening to music, going out with friends and cooking for my family.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “By fostering an environment that promotes curiosity, inclusivity and academic growth by encouraging research collaboration, building collaborative partnerships within DUT and with external stakeholder to foster interdisciplinary research.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “My daily motivation is centred around my personal growth, which stems from a deep desire to grow and improve my life, by learning new skills, overcoming challenges and making progress towards my long-term goals.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “To grow and evolve within the institution both professionally and academically.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “Strength to reaching my goal of being a PhD candidate.”
