INDUSTRIAL, ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING STUDENTS TO REPRESENT DUT AT UHU

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has selected four exceptional students to represent DUT at the University of Huelva in Southern Europe. These talented students are participating in an international exchange programme that runs from February 2025 to June 2025.

The selected DUT students have demonstrated remarkable academic performance and excellence. They include three Industrial Engineering students, Nontokozo Macebo, Olwethu Nkosi and Nomcebo Bianca Zungu, as well as Mpilo Mbulelo Tatana, a master’s student in Electronic and Computer Engineering.

 Third-year Industrial Engineering student, Zungu (19),  who also serves as the Deputy Student Representative from the Women in Engineering and the Built Environment Organisation (WEBE), has been selected to participate in a scholarship at the University of Huelva (UHU) in Spain.

 The students are currently attending various academic programmes related to their field of study at the La Merced and El Carmen campuses of UHU. Zungu, who is from Redcliffe shared her experiences, highlighting that the language barrier is the biggest challenge.

“Spanish is the predominant language spoken in Spain, and we are eager to improve our language skills to have a better connect with the culture. Although we are starting from the beginning, we are excited to learn and have been utilising the language learning apps to pick up basic Spanish words and phrases. I am forever humble and grateful for such an opportunity,” she explained.

Zungu stated that as DUT students they are encouraged to embody diversity and adapt to new environments. Zungu further mentioned that despite initial difficulties, she and her fellow students had developed innovative communication strategies.

She highlighted the DUT Living Values that resonates deeply with her, specifically honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability. She said that these values guided and inspired her to lead a life that was not only peaceful and enthusiastic but also exciting and fulfilling.

She noted that sometimes things seem hard because of societal assumptions which can discourage people from trying. However, she emphasised that with determination, challenges can be overcome.

Macebo shared her exciting experience of obtaining a scholarship. At first, she was thrilled, but as the departure date approached, she felt anxious and scared. It was her first time traveling abroad, and she was unsure what to expect. However, when she met people from different continents, she was touched by their kindness and warmth.

As she explored the new environment, Macebo realised that experiencing different cultures was a valuable learning experience. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to make new friends and learn about their ways of life,” she added.

In their closing remarks, the students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the DUT community for providing them with a platform to explore, learn, and enhance their academic and professional pursuits. As they emphasised, their journey has just begun, and they are eagerly looking forward to the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead.

Pictured: DUT students at the El Carmen campus in UHU with staff members.

Phiwayinkosi Sibiya