31 January 2011 - 14:07
By Lauren Holley
Durban University of Technology management is hoping there won't be disruptive student strikes this year.
Violent protests have marred the re-opening of the institution in recent years.
Last year's ongoing strikes saw campuses close due to vandalism and a number of students being arrested.
On Friday, around 400 DUT students demonstrated about financial aid and student accommodation.
But DUT vice chancellor Ahmed Bawa says they have managed to address most of the students' concerns in meetings with the SRC before the start of the academic year, which got underway today.
He says they have been working closely with the council to prevent a repeat of last year's drama.
"I hope that we have done enough, to prevent such a rocky start. Perhaps more importantly I should say that we've got a whole lot of processes in place for next year and the following year, which will make the path to the start of the academic year smoother."
Bawa says registration is going well so far. "Already something like 15 500 students have registered, and we hope that we have a plain sailing start to the new academic year."