Page 9 - DUT Annual Report 2020

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF COUNCIL
Mr NZW Madinane
Chairperson of Council
The Council of the Durban University ofTechnology (DUT) derives its authority from the Higher Education Act of 1997 (No. 101 of 1997), as amended. This Act provides the governance and oversight framework for Council. The Council is required to submit this report by provisions in the Act and the regulations published in terms of the Act, on 9 June 2014, Government Gazette No. 37726. This Chairperson’s Report, read collectively with the various subsections of this report, complies with the requirements stipulated in the above regulations.
INTRODUCTION
Navigating the various challenges brought about by the state of disaster in the country in 2020 has not been an effortless process. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on all operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), which seriously tested the commitment, ability and agility of the Council, Management, staff and students.
The DUT’s actions were largely informed by the global and national responses to the pandemic.These responses have been led from the front by leading scientists and leaders from diverse parts of the world, including South Africa, who have been working tirelessly to track the spread of the virus while concomitantly working on acceptable and effective prevention protocols, vaccines, and mechanisms for the roll-out of vaccinations. The display of global commitment and humanity by these scientists and world leaders has been remarkable. One can only hope and pray that with the advances being made in the development of vaccines and their roll-out in all parts pf the world, we will beat this deadly virus.
The measures prescribed in respect of health and safety protocols as well as the associated regulations for the
changing lockdown levels were strictly adhered to by the University, as our foremost priority in 2020 was – and continues to be – the health and safety of all our students and staff. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those DUT colleagues and students who have lost their lives to COVID-19. My sympathies also go to all DUT stakeholders who have lost loved ones.
I am happy to report that despite being initially caught off-guard by the swift spread of the virus and the announcement of a hard lockdown quite early in the year, the University regained its composure in the ensuing months. DUT did its best to attend to its multifarious tasks and responsibilities, which culminated in a successfully completed academic year. The ensuing sections of this report deal with selected matters dealt with by the Council and its Committees.
VIRTUAL MEETINGS OF
COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES
All meetings of the Council and its Committees were conducted virtually in 2020. The first meeting of Council scheduled for 28 March 2020 was cancelled, as it had
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