Student Housing at the Durban University of Technology
This project forms part of the DHET’s strategic plan that responds to the national backlog in student accommodation.
There has been a significant increase in enrolment in tertiary education in recent years with the number of students enrolling in higher education institution’s doubling over nine years. The Durban University of Technology, like many Universities in South Africa, face challenges in providing on-campus accommodation to their student population. In 2013, 61% (4 291) of students were accommodated in six off-campus residences.
The Student Housing Project at the Durban University of Technology forms part of the DHET’s strategic plan that responds to the national backlog in student accommodation, estimated at 200 000 student beds at a total cost of R82 billion. The overall aim of the strategic plan is to raise the national level of student accommodation on-campus from 12% to 30% of total enrolment from 2014 to 2024.
The Durban University of Technology Student Village Project was funded by the DBSA and the DHET. The project financed 804-bed on-campus student accommodation to the value of R155 million. A loan of R80 million was approved by the DBSA in 2014 with the balance of the funds provided by the DHET. Broad stakeholder involvement and commitment played a critical role in maximising our development impact as the DUT, NSFAS, the municipality and DHET contributed to project success.
The project aimed to reduce the number of students staying off-campus in leased and private residences, accommodate students with special needs, increase revenue for the University through student accommodation and create job opportunities for communities leaving around the DUT.
The 804-bed Student Village, which was constructed according to the norms and standard as provided by the DHET, increased the number of beds available on campus by 125% from 641 to 1445.
A total of 794 students were accommodated in the project in the second semester of 2019. The location and design of the Student Village has provided students with a conducive environment for living and learning that supports academic success. Students also benefit financially by saving on transport costs and time spent commuting. The student village is located in the security perimeter of the university, providing a safe and secure environment with biometric access control implemented. Security guards are also present 24 hours a day and the premises are monitored by CCTV. These benefits are available to persons with disability since wheelchair-friendly rooms have been included in the design of the Student Village.
increase in the number of beds available from 641 to 1445.
students were accommodated in the project in the second semester of 2019.
jobs created during construction.
students with special needs accommodated.