(Durban Technical Institute 1912)In 2010, The Durban University of Technology (City Campus) celebrated its centenary. To celebrate this milestone DUT hosted a series of events in December last year. The celebrations were mostly internal and now the DUT Art Gallery welcomes the general public to view and join the DUT community in celebrating 100 years of higher education in KZN through Celebrating 100 Years Of City Campus.
This exhibition is largely made up of timeline banners outlining the growth of the University, colour and black white images printed on canvas and an audio DVD looking at the activities at the Natal Technical School.
Amongst the activities that took place last year was a dinner, exhibition and unveiling of two plaques by guests of Honour Professor Vevek Ram, CEO of the National Lotteries Board and KZN Provincial MEC of Education the Honourable Mr Senzo Mchunu.
City Campus building has architectural significance to Durban’s built environment. This building, which houses DUT’s Faculty of Arts and Design, was initially built for students and staff of the Durban Technical Institute. The building’s foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Connaught on December 3, 1910.
The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) generously invested R30.5 million in sponsorship towards the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Heritage Projects. The funding was used for the City Campus Restoration Project, which is concerned with preserving the architectural heritage of the 100 year old building, and the Research of Currie’s and Surrounds (ROCS) project.
Over the last century, the City Campus has been recognised as one of Durban’s oldest heritage sites displaying as it does, the original architectural design. The building is also listed as a historical monument by eThekwini Municipality and has attracted local and international tourists, struggle heroes and ex-South African citizens.
In celebrating the centenary DUT embarked on a building restoration project to replace the entire roof with all ancillary components of the ceilings, electrical and air conditioning installations. During the refurbishment of City Campus, the original architectural significance has been maintained. The project formed part of DUT’s progressive academic and social development goals which are committed to the creation of a learning environment through the provision of safe, modern and technologically advanced facilities for its academic community.
The City Campus building is valued at around R100 million and is a heritage monument that DUT wants to preserve and showcase to locals and the international community. The renovation allows for the replacement of support structures that have never been replaced since the building was first built.
Durban Technical Institute (Durban Tech) was the first institution of higher education in Natal. When Howard College opened, the Natal Technical College (NTC) as it was then known, transferred to Natal University College on August 1, 1931: 200 students, 10 professors and lecturers, buildings, equipment and a college campus of 50 acres and so launched the University of KwaZulu-Natal, as it is today.
Celebrating 100 Years of City Campus will be launched on February 24 at 18h00 and will run until March 25 at the DUT Art Gallery (Steve Biko Campus) above the library.
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