New vice chancellor for DUT
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) welcomes their new vice chancellor this month and Berea Mail chatted to him about his plans for his term as VC.
DURBAN University of Technology has a new vice chancellor and principal at the helm, Professor Thandwa Mthembu took up his appointment earlier this month. Despite the turbulence at university campuses across the country, Prof Mthembu said he was hopeful for the future of DUT.
With nearly a month into his five-year tenure at DUT, Mthembu said, “It has been great so far. I have been warmly welcomed by everybody, staff and students. The University has been run well and there is lots to still do,” he told Berea Mail.
Mthembu acknowledged DUT had an “excellent” strategic plan in place for the 2015-2019 period. “I will bring more refinement to the plan and obviously I will have to do some re-thinking for the 2020 strategic plan. We have to ensure we have a very tight timeline for our targets. I will identify strategic drivers and focus areas such as greening the University or building research focus areas and take them to a level with definitive projects by looking at opportunities in the City, ports, refineries motor and sugar industry,” he said. Mthembu said he was keen to not only look internally but see how the university could benefit the City and KZN region.
Prof Mthembu has extensive experience in the higher education sector, he previously served as vice-chancellor and principal at the Central University of Technology for 10 years before returning to his birthplace KZN. He has also served as campus principal, deputy vice-chancellor and vice-principal at other universities around the country. “I was born and bred in KZN, but only worked here for two years at UKZN Westville, so I am happy to return and plough back the experience I’ve gained over the years. “Coming from Bloemfontein, of course I’m happy to see more green in Durban, being able to walk on the promenade and see the ocean,” he said.
In his little time getting to know the University, Prof Mthembu said he did notice challenges with buildings and infrastructure around campuses. “I think we can do much better in planning even day-to-day maintenance.”
