2009 Annual Report

Steady progress was made during the year in consolidating DUT as a leading university of technology. Achievements in student graduation rates, postgraduate
studies and research were impressive. Council welcomes the new Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande and wishes him well in the formidable challenges he faces. The new Minister informed Higher Education South Africa (HESA) that his Ministry is spearheading a mechanism to monitor transformation and racism within the Higher Education Sector. Council wishes to acknowledge the excellent work of Naledi Pandor, the previous Minister of Higher Education, and wishes her well in the new Ministry of Science and Technology.

University continues to have a positive cash flow, despite rising student debt, which has increased by approximately 2% in comparison to the corresponding period last year. One of the reasons for this increase could be the high unemployment rate and the economic recession experienced by South Africa and the rest of the world. The University continues to make inroads into meeting the Department of Higher Education and Training's salary costs to recurrent income benchmark of 58% - 62%; the University's ratio for 2009 was 65.21% in terms of the 2010 Budget. Fundraising and third stream income continue to be priority areas for development. Council approved the appointment of Ernst and Young Inc. and SAB&T Inc. as the University's external auditors for the period 2009-2013. It also approved the extension of the appointment of the current internal auditors, Deloitte & Touche for a further two years from 30 June 2009.