[VIDEO] DUT Vice Chancellor outlines plans to make it a world class institute
"With out short history of being a university it's very difficult to say to staff overnight that you will have as a minimum qualification a doctorate," said Mthembu.
AROUND 25 per cent of lecturers at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) have a Master’s degree.
This is a culture that Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Vice Chancellor at DUT, said would have to change if it wants to be a world class institute.
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Methembu was delivering his second State of the University Address at the Steve Biko campus on Wednesday where he outlined the university’s plans for the year ahead and going forward.
“A PhD is actually a minimum for lecturing at a university. Yes, given our history, since 2008, a Master’s degree has been determined to be a minimum at DUT, but honestly, let’s be accountable,” he said.
The DUT is a former technikon that used to focus mainly on vocational studies, so an institutional shift has to be gradually implemented, Mthembu said.
DUT was formed in 2002 following a merger of two technikons, ML Sultan and Technikon Natal.
In 2007, it was officially referred to as a university.
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“With our short history of being a university it’s very difficult to say to staff overnight that you will have as a minimum qualification a doctorate,” said Mthembu.
The central theme of Mthembu’s speech was ‘Envision 2030’; a 10 year strategy to make the university compete against the best in the country.
Mthembu revealed that the university has already broken ground on a multi-million rand state-of-the-art student and entrepreneurship centre at the Steve Biko campus.
* has a R653-million capital expenditure budget for 2020, up from R179-million the previous year.
*R303-million to spend on student housing, deferred maintenance and other priority projects like improved access for differently abled people.
* A R1.1-billion infrastructure project set to be completed in 2024. It includes, amongst other things, consolidation of and new buildings for the Faculties of Arts and Design and Health Sciences and a new business school by the airport.
* R30-million set aside for technological security upgrades.
There was a heavy presence of geared private security guards at the Steve Biko campus.
When asked about the militarisation of the university, Mthembu said it was a response to violent acts that had occurred on its campuses.
Last year, first year student Sandile Ndlovu died after being stabbed in the head inside a lecture room.
In another incident, a female staff member had to undergo reconstructive surgery after being struck by a rock in the face during student protests.
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