The Durban University of Technology (DUT) HIV/AIDS Centre recently held its HIV/AIDS Peer Educators’ Training Programme at the Ritson Hotel School from18 April 2024 to 19 April 2024.

The purpose of the programme is to give useful training to students, who will act as pillars of the University’s HIV/AIDS education and awareness campaigns.

Peer educators are a group of students trained on ten HIGHER HEALTH pillars which goes beyond just HIV. This training is aligned to Higher Health priority areas which include (HIV/TB/STI; Mental Health, Sexual reproductive Health, Gender Based Violence, Disability rights, LGBTQIA rights as well as Alcohol and substance abuse.   Through this training peer educators  are given skills to facilitate workshops or dialogues and organise awareness campaigns on campus also contributing towards the promotion of healthy practices and behavioural change which is instrumental in identifying students at risk using the risk assessment tool.

Oziel Mdletshe, Higher Health, University Programmes Coordinator and HIV/AIDS activist, shared that the programme started in 2004 and that as from 2011, the DUT HIV/AIDS Centre took a decision to keep these students in the programme for two years before awarding them with certificates of appreciation.

“Peer educators assist in all HIV/AIDS and other related campaigns organised by the DUT HIV/AIDS Centre throughout the year. The programme creates a platform for students to talk about HIV-related issue on campus, to reduce the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, to contribute to HIV prevention and create a safe space for students living with HIV on campus,” said Mdletshe.

The university’s HIV/AIDS Centre provides confidential HIV testing and counselling to students and staff within the institution.

Presentations were made by representatives from different units including Student Health, Student Counselling and the Disability Rights Unit.  These presentations outlined the significance of each department and how to access their services should they have a friend in need.

Siphesihle Ngubo, Health Promotion Project Officer from the HIV/AIDS Centre  shared an insightful talk about the importance of peer education training.

“Such trainings teaches the DUT outer community about diversity. It is important as it is not about race, gender and or ethnicity. It is about being human and acknowledging the difference among us while being respectful as enriched in the DUT ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework,” she concluded.

Pictured: Oziel Mdletshe addressing peer education trainees.

Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese.

Patience Makhaye