The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Justin Ferguson graduated with Cum Laude and a Dean’s Merit Award in Degree of Bachelor of Technology: Civil Engineering, during the morning graduation session at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus, Durban.
When asked about how he felt having obtained such exemplary academic achievements, he said he could not contain his excitement. “Overjoyed! I worked really hard during my studies, but I didn’t know that I would achieve such accolades. I am humbled by this achievement and it has definitely provided me with new confidence within myself,” he said jubilantly.
The Pietermaritzburg-born father of two gives praise and thanks to his family, especially to his wife Megan, who had been his pillar of strength.
“It has indeed been demanding but I owe it all to my wife and eldest son, Duncan (6). They understood my having to study on weekends and supported me the whole way. I’m just glad that it is now finished and I get to show them our achievements for it,” he said.
His passion and drive for the course was cemented further with his love for his semester subjects such as Hydraulics and Geometric Design. “They were both challenging and stretched my abilities to the maximum. Obtaining distinctions for both of them was a great interim achievement,” he added.
For Ferguson, pursuing such a course was natural because his dad, Ian Arthur Ferguson, was a Chief Engineer at ESKOM before he passed away in 2013. His uncle, Andy Torr, is also a civil engineer and owns his own consulting practice.
He (Ferguson) always wanted to better the world in which he lives in and believes that studying towards an Engineering degree, where he could ultimately help others, would be a good start to achieving this.
His journey to studying had its normal stresses like juggling working full-time whilst studying. “My youngest son, James (11.5 months), was born mid-third semester, but that was hardly an adversity. The sleepless nights during my final semester were tough, but once again my wife Megan was amazing and supportive throughout. I want to take my family on a well-deserved holiday as it has been an extremely busy two years whilst studying. We all deserve a break, especially my wife, Megan,” he said.
Currently, Ferguson is working at a Civil Engineering consultancy in Pietermaritzburg. They specialise in Civil, Structural and Process Engineering as well as social facilitation.
For the time being he is focusing on spending as much time as he can with his family whilst he strives to obtaining his professional registration with ECSA. “I would love to complete a Master’s Degree in Engineering when my boys are a bit older,” he stressed.
Ferguson said DUT has given him the ‘know-how tools’ to achieve his studies. “DUT has been a good vessel. The University has provided me with the tools to ready myself for the future whilst never forgetting to believe in my abilities,” he said proudly.
His advice to future, aspirant students who want to choose such a field to study, is to keep going. “Just keep at it! Life is too short to worry about the small things,” he said.
Pictured: Justin Ferguson
Waheeda Peters
