THE Durban University of Technology took a decision this afternoon to suspend its academic programme on Monday, 8 February and Tuesday, 9 February.
According to Alan Khan, senior director of corporate affairs at DUT, the decision follows the SRC-led protest action which took place at the ML Sultan campus and the Steve Biko campus in Durban this morning (Monday, 8 February).
“The decision was taken in the best interests of the safety and security of our students and staff. This is an academic suspension of lectures on all DUT campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. This will give our university a chance to meet with the SRC on Tuesday, 9 February so that we can find a way forward and to safely resume the academic programme. Our intention is to work with the SRC so that we can resume the academic programme on Wednesday, 10 February,” Khan explained.
Students gathered at the Cane Growers Hall at the ML Sultan campus and marched up to the vice-chancellor’s office on the Steve Biko campus. After some chanting, toyi-toying and singing, a professor came out to meet with the students and receive their memorandum of grievances.
While the academic programme is suspended tomorrow (Tuesday, 9 February), the DUT administration and support services will be fully operational. “We have advised the SRC that the protests should not compromise the registration of new and returning students and that the financial aid and finance offices must remain open to assist our students,” he added.
