13 May 2025 | Story: Nontobeko Moimane | Photo: VUT.
2 minutes read time.
As one of the leading commercial enterprises of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), Domicilia Student Services (DSS) took an essential step toward shaping its future by hosting a strategic planning workshop at the Emerald Resort and Casino in April 2025.
DSS, now five years since its establishment, was conceived as part of VUT’s commitment to generate third-stream income, a necessary diversification of financial resources for the institution in an era marked by reduced government grants, escalating operational costs, and the imperative to remain academically and socially relevant.
Mr Rajen Moodley, the DSS Board of Directors Chairperson, affirmed the pivotal role DSS plays in sustaining the university’s long-term viability. “DSS has been highly successful in generating third-stream income. The competitive landscape within which VUT finds itself, where reduced grants, rising operational costs and the need for relevancy, brings about many challenges that can be solved through third stream income. DSS is premised on the idea that it represents a successful blueprint for other entities at the university to follow, where the successes can be leveraged to create healthy and credible entities that can contribute to the greater good,” said Mr Moodley.
The workshop brought together DSS Board members and management to reflect on the organisation’s milestones and craft a strategic roadmap for the next five years. Central to these discussions was the importance of diversification, sustainability, and alignment with the university’s Strategic Plan. The Board interrogated the existing strategy through rigorous engagements while exploring new commercial ventures, partnership opportunities, and revenue models.
Dr Narissa Ramdhani, a member of the DSS Board, echoed the workshop’s importance in ensuring that VUT’s commercial arms remain resilient and visionary. “As universities globally shift from traditional funding models, the role of well-managed commercial enterprises becomes indispensable. What we’re doing with DSS isn’t just about financial sustainability; it’s about ensuring that our innovations, services, and intellectual property deliver tangible benefits to our communities and broader society. This workshop was a testament to the fact that VUT understands the critical link between academic relevance and economic impact,” reflected Dr Ramdhani.
This gathering reaffirmed DSS’s role as a benchmark of good governance and commercial excellence within higher education institutions, one that balances academic freedom with entrepreneurial agility and risk management. By leveraging its growing portfolio of services and facilities, DSS continues to contribute to the financial strength of VUT and its social footprint.
The workshop outcomes, including a comprehensive business and diversification strategy, will be presented to the University’s Management Committee (MANCOM) as part of a continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment. In a rapidly evolving higher education landscape, VUT, through platforms like DSS, is reaffirming its position as a university that embraces innovation, commercialisation, and socio-economic transformation.
