Lectures to resume at DUT

Lectures at the Durban University of Technology will resume on Monday 10 February 2014. DUT’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ahmed Bawa, reached an agreement with the SRC yesterday afternoon that will see an end to the strike action that started 10 days ago. The SRC also committed towards ensuring that there will be no violence and intimidation once the academic calendar recommences and residences re-open.

Professor Bawa said, “I can confirm that we will immediately resume with the registration process. All students who still need to register must do so from Thursday 6 February 2014. If students cannot make it on Thursday, they can also register on Friday 7 February. The online registration process is still open for the benefit of students and their families. Importantly, our residences will reopen on Thursday 6 February 2014.”

Professor Bawa added, “I would like to thank our students, their families and the amazing DUT staff for their support and understanding over the last two weeks. DUT has once again had a challenging start to the year and I am confident that we have made significant strides with our SRC in restoring an environment that will be conducive to teaching and learning. I also appreciated the recent visit by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande on Monday. His presence on campus has played an important role in creating these conditions.”

The main points of the agreement with the SRC include:

• BTech students: NSFAS has made it clear to the SRC and the University that BTech degree students will not receive financial aid. However, in an effort to allow those students who were studying towards BTech degrees in 2013 (and who received funding support) to finish their degrees, DUT has agreed to allow them to register this year, provided they can complete their BTech degrees in 2014. This group of students will be registered for tuition only, so that they can complete their studies this year. Students in this category will also have to sign loan agreement with DUT. The University will also pursue the matter of financial aid for students currently studying BTech degrees in scarce skills areas.

• The SRC and the University have both been very concerned with the duration of the appeals process at NSFAS. Approximately 1160 students are still waiting to hear the outcome of their appeals for funding. DUT has raised this issue with NSFAS and this was also discussed with the Minister and the CEO of NSFAS on Monday. NSFAS has committed towards a faster appeals process so that it does not compromise our students. DUT has agreed to assist all students who fall under this category and who are on track to complete their qualifications in 2014 by allowing them to register so that they can complete their diploma or degree this year.

• There will be 2600 NSFAS packages distributed to DUT first year, first time applicants in 2014. Some 800 students are yet to be packaged and pressure will be placed on NSFAS to complete these.

• The meal allowance for students, which is currently facilitated by DUT’s e-wallet and swiping card system, will remain in place for the first semester. From the second semester onwards, the sBux system (which is preferred by NSFAS) will be implemented.

• The book allowance is at R1, 500.

• Tablet devices for NSFAS students: After a request from the Vice-Chancellor, NSFAS has agreed to run a pilot project at DUT for this year. They will fund an additional R1,500, so that students can use this allowance to purchase a NSFAS approved tablet device from a NSFAS approved supplier. This will be administered via the sBux system. Approximately 9000 NSFAS funded students at DUT will benefit from this pilot project.

The six faculties at DUT will publish a revised academic calendar that will be implemented as from next Monday.