The Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a closing ceremony to culminate the end of the four-day ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework Launch at the Ritson Campus Hall in Durban, on Friday, 21 July 2023.
The aim of the launch was to drive behavioural change amongst students and staff of the University and contribute towards transforming DUT to becoming a ‘great’ university.
Facilitating the closing ceremony was Mr Avhatakali Nenungwi, Director of Organisational Development and Talent Management at the DUT Human Capital Services. He commended the staff and students for participating in all the activities, especially in the leading Culture Workshop, facilitated by Joyce Lebelo, managing executive-Growth Enablement Culture and Strategy which was held online and at the DUT Hotel School on Thursday, 20 July 2023. The workshops were held for support function managers/leaders, academics, students, and student leaders to provide them with tips on how to embed the Living Values Framework to live through their behaviours. Mr Nenungwi expressed how those who attended the workshops could not stop talking about the lessons they have learnt.
Delivering the closing remarks was Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at DUT.
“Our values and principles are what is going to drive, one, the culture of the organisation. Two, it’s going to drive the impact that we are going to make into future generations and three, it is going to be how DUT is then reckoned with in terms of us being seen as a very good institution,” said Dr Mthethwa. She encouraged the staff and students to live by their promises and start living the DUT values and principles.
Professor Megan Govender from DUT’s Department of Mathematics entertained the guests by showcasing his enthralling live experiments which intertwined with the Living Values Framework. There were numerous exhibitors at the event ranging from Somatology, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Built Environment, Medical Aid administrators, and Community Engagement.
DUT colleagues, Thabo Ntshingila and Mpendulo Nkwanyana from the DUT Advancement and Alumni Relations stand said the event went very well and a lot of students came to the stand to not only query about what they are all about but to donate food items towards their Mandela Drive for donations of food items for underprivileged schools in the community.
The announcement of the team winners in the six categories from the activities that took place during the week were teams encompassing the four perspectives, namely Stewardship, Sustainability, Society and Systems and Processes.
In the Living Values treasure hunt-the winners were; in third place, team Sustainability, second place, team Society, and in first place was team Systems and Processes.
In the unpacking the values competition, volunteers were asked to come forward to give their interpretation on the ENVISION2030 values. In second place was Graphic Designer, Qinisani Gazu under the Design Studio unit, representing team Systems and Processes and in first place was Andile Masuku, Student Development Officer under the Student Governance and Development unit, representing team Society.
He was extremely ecstatic upon hearing of his win. “I feel so excited and this shows that I take the Living Values very seriously and back in my heart, for me it is to live the talk and to implement those in my space of work and wherever I am, just to live these values outside of DUT,” shared Masuku.
Pictured: Professor Megan Govender from DUT’s Department of Mathematics entertains the guests by showcasing his enthralling live experiments which intertwined with the DUT Living Values Framework.
Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters
