Future of varsity's SRC in spotlight

20 July 2011 - 10:26
By Khulekani Mazibuko

STUDENTS at the Durban University of Technology are expected to hold a meeting today to discuss the future of their student representative council.

This was after students from the institution's Pietermaritzburg campus launched a petition to disband the body.

The meeting also follows student protests which began on Monday after the SRC submitted a memorandum to the university's management.

DUT's SRC president Mfanafuthi Ngcobo said their concerns included canteens, book allowances, the university's security company, outstanding fees, and lack of financial aid for first-year students.

Ngcobo said the R16million allocated to the university by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for first-year students was not sufficient, considering the high number of students in need of financial assistance.

Ngcobo described the petition to disband the SRC as the work of a "propaganda".

DUT vice-chancellor Ahmed Bawa said the university would address the students' concerns.