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| DUT AND PSHPU Mou Signing |
To foster academic collaboration, exchange programmes and joint research initiatives, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia’s Perm State Humanitarian Pedagogical University (PSHPU). The event was hosted by the DUT International Education and Partnerships (IEP) unit on the M.L Sultan campus in Durban.
Representing DUT in the signing ceremony was the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu and sealing the partnership on behalf of the Russians was the Rector of PSHPU, Dr Konstantin Egorov.
Warmly welcoming the Russian delegation was the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu. He expressed his appreciation to Mr Konstantin accompanied by the Head of Department for International Affairs at PSHPU, Dr Anastasya Vertyanova for visiting DUT and hoped that the visit marked a beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership.
“South Africa’s partnership with Russia dates to many years ago. There are many of our prominent people who studied in Russia during the worst times. There should have been many more partnerships with Russian institutions because of that history of the South African struggle for democracy. It is great that you have visited us, and we could use the partnership that we have developed to strengthen those old relations between South Africa and Russia,” shared Prof Mthembu.
He further shared that his development has Russian and Hungarian roots as for his PhD he read a lot of work by a Russian mathematician. Prof Mthembu mentioned that he had looked at several programme areas that PSHPU has such as the Faculty of Teacher Education, emphasising that DUT also has Teacher Education, requiring support from across the world. He indicated that there are many other areas with a possibility of more engagement between the two universities.
Dr Lavern Samuels conducted a presentation on DUT, highlighting the ENVISION2030 strategy and the unique model for comprehensive, inclusive and holistic internationalisation. He indicated that his office aims to make international education at DUT inclusive, to look beyond just the few students and staff that are able to travel internationally.
“We have done a lot of work on the internationalisation of the curriculum and on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). Due to these innovative and creative approaches to internationalisation, our international education has reached far more of our students and our staff. Creativity is one of the drivers of the university and we take it seriously. We want to be a globally engaged university, that will impact on society in a profound way. We are trying to ensure that by 2030, everybody at DUT has an international experience, even though not everyone will be able to travel abroad, but everyone will be able to engage internationally in the classroom and beyond,” explained Dr Samuels.
The Head of Department for International Affairs at PSHPU, Dr Anastasya Vertyanova conducted an insightful presentation on their university, highlighting its history and academic programmes. She revealed that the PSHPU was founded in 1921 and has 13 faculties which ensure the development and implementation of Advanced Education Technologies, Scientific and Technological Creativity, Intercultural Communication and Interaction as well as Social Stability. She expressed her interest in knowing more about the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy as she felt DUT and PSHPU have much in common in scientific areas.
The Rector of PSHPU, Dr Konstantin Egorov expressed his excitement on the collaboration. He felt the two universities will be able to collaborate on projects on Artificial Intelligent, performing arts, teacher education, technology and language.
The were discussions on the areas of collaboration between DUT and PSHPU and international education projects within DUT. Joining in the discussions based on their portfolios were the DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Azwitevhelwi Nevhutalu, Deputy Dean: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof Tukayi Kudanga, Prof Faizal Bux, Director: Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Mr Norman Ronald, Acting Director of the Quality Promotions and Assurance unit, and Dr Nkululeko Zungu from the Faculty of Management Sciences.
The engagement was celebrated with an official MoU signing and exchange of gifts between the Rector of PSHPU, Dr Konstantin Egorov and DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu.
Pictured: Rector of PSHPU, Dr Konstantin Egorov and DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu during the MoU signing ceremony.
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