SOFTCOPY MAGAZINE

Dheshnie Naidoo.  The Durban University Technology’s (DUT) Video Technology alumni, actress and television presenter, Dheshnie Naidoo was recently appointed as the first woman ever, to be the Head of Production Operations at SuperSport. Having started off as an Intern at Mnet in 1997, Naidoo has been progressively climbing up the ladder in the Television broadcasting Industry, flying the DUT flag very high. After her recent appointment, Naidoo expressed her excessive excitement for breaking the stereotype of males dominating the industry. “I am very excited to make the stereotype change because for a long time the industry has been dominated by males and now the playing fields have been levelled,” she said. Naidoo has held several titles over the years, including Senior Manager Production Services, events manager, operations manager and senior manager in the Outside Broadcast department and studios, where she gained extensive knowledge and exposure into the wor...

Dr Chris De Beer with FoAD's Information and Communications Officer.  NASIPHI GIGABA  The Head of Department (HOD) of Fine Arts and Jewellery Design, Chris de Beer recently completed his Doctoral Degree (PhD) in self-reflective study. Titled: “An autoethnographic exploration of Creative Design Practice: Towards Pedagogic implications”, his thesis presented an ethnographic exploration of his Identity as a creative artist, a designer and a university educator. “Being in the creative field and trying to cultivate the creativity within my students is what inspired my study. I examined my own creative practice by doing autoethnographic self-interviews of my contributions to exhibitions, and then examined the pedagogical implications inherited in these explorations,” said De Beer. De Beer’s thesis  offers a visually exemplar for artists and educators interested in exploring pedagogic implications of an enhanced awareness of self in creative practice, he also st...

NASIPHI GIGABA  (L-R) Ronicka Sirputh, Senele Hlumayo, Sue Barrett and Dr Rene Smith.  The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) staff were recently recognised and appreciated at this year’s Annual “Research & Staff Recognition Awards” hosted at the Ritson Hotel School. Opening the award ceremony and welcoming the staff was the Executive Dean of the FoAD, Dr René Smith, who emphasized the importance of hosting the awards and recognising the staff for all their determination. This year’s award ceremony marks the 4th Staff Recognition Awards and the 5th Staff Research Awards since 2014. As part of this year’s Implementation, all nominees in their various categories were appreciated with an award for their contribution towards the faculty and towards research. “We introduced the awards very interested more about the work that takes place in the faculty and over the years we decided that let us award everyone who contribu...

Graphic Design student, Hannah Smith.  NASIPHI GIGABA  Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Graphic Design students were recognized and appreciated recently at this years’ annual year-end exhibition and Student Recognition Awards ceremony hosted at the City Campus, Author Smith hall. The auditorium was packed to capacity, as parents, friends and Lectures of both third year and Bachelor of Technology (Btech) students gathered together to witness the handing over of awards, where students were being awarded for their performance throughout the year; the award ceremony was then followed by an exhibition where the students showcased their portfolio’s. Chief Commercial Officer of the Embury Institute for Higher Education and best-selling author of the crime thriller, 31 Million Reasons, Dr Naresh Veeran who was the guest speaker of the day, shared some of his experiences in the industry and encouraged the students to develop and be driven by passion in order to...

Formber DUT Journalism students.  NASIPHI GIGABA  The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Journalism department in collaboration with the Office for Advancement and Alumni Relations hosted the very first “Journalism Alumni Reunion” at the City Campus, Author Smith Hall. Journalism alumni, members of the Advisory Board, industry leaders and staff filled the auditorium to capacity yesterday, 14 November as alumni from ML Sultan Technikon, Technikon Natal, DIT and DUT were reunited for the very first time. The event hosted as a means of celebrating the achievements of DUT alumni who are making impact across the globe in the journalism industry and to also inaugurate and reconnect alumni to the institution. Keynote speaker, Dr Welcome Nzimande who is a renowned radio and TV legend encouraged the alumni to be the gear for change in their respective organisations in order to bring about the necessary improvement. “Innovation is the thing that comes ...

Ayanda Buthelezi (centre) with her mother, Dita Buthelezi and friend. NASIPHI GIGABA  The Faculty of Arts and Design’s (FoAD) year-end exhibition season kicked off on a high note with programmes showcasing exquisite students’ work. The Photography Programme recently hosted its Bachelor of Technology (BTech) year-end portfolio exhibition at the DUT Art Gallery. Eight students from the programme Zamantungwa Gumede, Ayanda Buthelezi, S’jabulisile Meyiwa, Lucky Mthiyela, Kerilyn Arumugum, Sfundo Hlangu,Sithabile Mdunge and Nolwazi Gumede showcased their best five picture’s from their portfolios.       After selecting an area of interest and submitting photographs to be assessed throughout the course of the year, the students were also required to submit a forty-page mini thesis to support their images. Once of the students, Lucky Matiyela whose work focused on his African roots said: “After doing a lot of westernised work, I decide to go back to...

 Interior Design third year student, Thabiswa Nkonyeni who was named Top Student for 2018. NASIPHI GIGABA  Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Interior Design students’ year culminated in style as their hard work was rewarded during the programme’s year-end portfolio exhibition which coincided with recognition awards where excelling students were awarded for their hard work. The exhibition which was held at City Campus yesterday, featured works by third year and BTech students who were beaming with joy as attendees marvelled at their offering. Interior Design’s Programme Coordinator and Lecturer, Susan Barrett said the programme is pleased with the end results of the students work, considering the challenges they faced throughout the year. “We are glad the year is over and that it was a fairly successful one despite the interruptions due to protests at the beginning of the year. Overall though, we were very pleased with the end result,” she said. Barre...