Page 12 - DUT Excellence

DUT ADVANCEMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE
MAGUBANE’S BOOK EXPLORES LOVEIN THE ERA OF
LAUNCHES DUT ALUMNI MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
Nurturing a people-centred culture that embodies DUT’s values and principles is what drives programmes at the Institution.The University aims to have a direct link with
its graduates and nurture a lifelong relationship between alumni and their alma mater.
In relation to nurturing links with alumni, the Advancement and Alumni Relations Of ce recently announced the establishment and launch of the DUT Alumni Mentorship Programme.
Alumni have an important role to play in the development of the Institution and the Advancement and Alumni Relations Of ce is tasked with initiating and implementing an Alumni Relations programme, which will create a desire among alumni to identify with and support their alma mater, i.e. DUT. Ronelle Lyson, Alumni Relations Co-ordinator, said that the necessity for such a programme requires no motivation since the bene ts and positive outcomes of mentorship are well-documented in the literature.
“Mentorship can serve as a key developmental aspect of an individual, both personally and professionally. It can contribute to both emotional and intellectual development. It can also, inter alia, serve as a networking gateway that could potentially introduce the mentee to a variety of career opportunities through introductions made by the mentor,” she said.
Lyson further added that the programme provides many opportunities for growth, positive development, shaping of the appropriate mindset for success and overall improvement of attitudes and behaviour in the mentee.
Pictured: Ronelle Lyson, Alumni Relations Co-ordinator.
She indicated that they are continuously recruiting and currently have 117 mentors selected.When asked if there was a special criteria selection process is in place for would be mentors, she stressed that they have an online application process whereby mentors have to meet certain criteria to qualify.
Mentors have to be a DUT alumnus or alumna, have a minimum of ve years in employment or self-employment as a business owner/ entrepreneur, have leadership experience in either a professional environment or within various structures of their community.
She also said that the mentor must be committed and have the means to dedicate time to meet at least once every two months with their mentee.
10
DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY