DURBAN - THE Durban University of Technology (DUT) Higher Certificate Programme Students have given the institution an ultimatum to either absorb them to further their qualifications or permanently close the Higher Certificate programme.
The one-year programme offered by DUT allows students with a Grade 12 certificate endorsement to be permitted admission into a first level, university qualification.
Over 50 students gathered singing, dancing and chanting outside the institution’s Steve Biko campus demanding management give them answers regarding their request to be admitted for diploma programmes.
It is alleged that the institution had promised that students would be allowed to enrol for their required qualifications after completing the programme. Many students said they enrolled with the hope that the certificates would boost their points.
However, DUT later introduced a policy that only 10% of the students were going to be absorbed.
Kwanele Ndlovu, 22, who studied for a Higher Certificate in Business Administration last year, said DUT was scamming students with false hope.
“We were never told that we wouldn’t be considered for a diploma qualification when we started the course. In the middle of our studies we received application forms to apply to study for diplomas this year and we did. Later the feedback came notifying us that we would not be enrolled for the diploma because our matric results do not meet the requirements. I am now unemployed without a plan B. I feel betrayed.”
Sinenhlanhla Khusi, a member of SA Students’ Congress and Student Parliament, said the programme was not helping students in any way.
“We demand DUT attend to these students and absorb them into a diploma or a degree qualification,” said Khusi.
Alan Khan, senior director of DUT’s corporate affairs, said the institution introduced the programme to give a second chance to students who did not qualify to further their studies, adding that there were terms and conditions.
“It was clearly explained to the students that where space exists, in select diploma programmes, in specific fields of study and as stipulated in the university’s Department of Higher Education and Training-approved enrolment plan, DUT may be able to admit students with a higher certificate qualification.
“However, no automatic absorption from one programme to another was promised. The university was transparent and honest in its response.”
Daily News