Trissann Pillay, a 22-year old from Phoenix always strives for excellence. Through her passion and determination she has maintained an outstanding academic record whilst studying towards a National Diploma in Somatology at the Durban University of Technology. Pillay, together with 13 other students from the DUT Faculty of Health Sciences, will receive the Dean’s Merit Award and graduate Cum Laude on Thursday 19 April 2012.

An astounded, Pillay said, “I am so excited. I have been keeping track of my results so I was expecting to receive at least one of these awards. I know my parents and sister will be very proud of me.”

According to Pillay, her study method is not really novel. She prefers to “prepare well in advance, use a lot of colour in my books and stress less.” Although there were some tough times along the way, Pillay said all the hard work she put into her studies was fruitful and made her academic journey “an enjoyable ride.”
She mentioned that because Somatology is so captivating, her spectrum of learning was forever broadened. Her love to “make people feel beautiful about themselves” and the unwavering support of her family, lecturers and friends also contributed a lot to her achievement.

Pillay’s happiest moments came during her second and third year when she was part of a group of top students selected to massage the 2010 and 2011Comrades Marathon participants at the end of the race.
Pillay is the youngest of two daughters. She draws her inspiration from her father who co-manages a fireworks distribution business, her mother who works for a media distribution company and her older sister, a qualified Industrial Psychologist.

She is currently studying towards a BTech in Somatology while working at the Oyster Box Hotel Spa in Umhlanga. Her future plans include specialising in Aromatherapy or Reflexology.

Issued by

Sinegugu Ndlovu
Media Officer
Durban University of Technology
031 373 2845
078 615 2662