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 Marketing, Public Relations and Events intern, Russel Zikhali, recently engaged in a conversation with Egashnee Moodley-Bhulaye, Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) Co-ordinator and Project Management lecturer at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am the Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) Co-ordinator and Project Management lecturer at the Department of Information and Corporate Management (ICM) for the Business and Information Management qualification (BIM) at Ritson campus in Durban. I support the ICM department by monitoring and overseeing the ECP programme and students. I am also involved in the ECP Student Mentorship programme, which prepares ECP undergraduates students (1st and 2nd year level) for to the working world. In addition, I am currently the module co-ordinator for Project Management level 1, for DUT Durban and PMB Students.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I am proud to state that I am a DUT Alumni and DUT is in my DNA. I have completed my National Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree at DUT. I have worked at various departments within DUT over the years, but I had entered lecturing at the ICM department in 2017 till date. Currently, I am registered for my PhD within the ICM department under the GOOT programme. So, I have been a member of the DUT family for a long time.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “Definitely integrity because it fosters moral conduct, credibility and trust.”
Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful?
A: “As an academic role, the tagline is a very powerful ‘tool’ used in the teaching and learning aspect. Through this tagline, I am encouraged to be creative in my teaching methods in class with realistic South African business or community problems/issues, so that students can enhance their critical thinking abilities, learn problem solving skills to generate new knowledge with fresh and innovative perspective or solutions. When the students produce fresh and innovative perspective or solutions, it thrives as a unique, distinctive and impactful learning experience for them.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “As an academic, I plan to foster the ENVISION2030 living values framework in my class, work ethics and environment. I plan to continue to build an atmosphere of respect and integrity with my interactions with students. This involves treating all students fairly, showing respect for diverse perspective and providing a safe and inclusive learning environment. In terms of continued professional development, I plan to foster transparency, integrity and accountability which includes ongoing professional development to stay up to date with the advancements of my field, participating in teaching and learning conferences and workshops to upgrade my skills and knowledge continuously.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “The one thing that people may not know about me is that I do enjoy baking traditional sweetmeats.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “Upholding values such as transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability benefits DUT by building trust with various stakeholders, it promotes an ethical culture and creating a positive working environment for staff and students. In addition, the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework at DUT would be contributing to DUT students or DUT Adaptive graduate’s being ethical in life.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “I love reading and learning about new discoveries around the world and spending time with my family.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “I plan to make a positive impact at DUT through my teaching, research, mentorship, community engagement projects with my students, collaboration with multi-disciplinary fields of projects and commitment to my professional growth and development as an academic. Furthermore, I also plan to contribute to the advancement of knowledge, DUT student success and the overall ENVISION2030 mission of DUT.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “Life is always changing and challenging you. No matter what happens, just keep moving forward. If your plan does not work out, change your strategy but never the goal. Just keep moving forward.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “My future goals at DUT would be to contribute to the academic excellence of DUT by adding to the number of staff with doctorates and engage in publishing articles. In addition, I am a SETA accredited facilitator and I aim to be involved in DUT community engagement projects with the ICM department to educate the local communities with business or entrepreneurship skills and knowledge.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “If I was granted one wish, I would wish for global peace.”
