Yesterday (31 May 2023) marked the end of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2023 Autumn Graduation ceremonies. In this season 8122 students graduated both from the Durban and Midlands campus over 33 sessions in 12 days held on 15 to 17 May 2023 at Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg and from 22 to 31 May 2023 at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.
Ending the graduation on a high note was the Faculty of Health Sciences which conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Health Sciences to South Africa’s leading epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist, Professor Salim Abdool Karim. The Faculty also had nine students who obtained their PhD’s during the closing session, painting the first row of graduates red.
The programme director was the vibrant, Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs. In his opening remarks thanked everyone assembled in the hall to celebrate the remarkable milestone in the lives of the graduates.
“The DUT ENVISION2030 strategy continues to make a meaningful impact at our university. Based on our plans our university is focused on doing things right. As our Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mthembu highlighted during the recent State of the University Address, for the second year in a row, Durban University of Technology was ranked in the Top 5 of all South African universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in London. DUT was also ranked as the number one University of Technology in South Africa and for that all students, all staff and everyone associated with the university deserves a round of applause for DUT and the flag flying so high around the country and around the continent,” said Khan.
He also revealed that late last year, Professional Market Research (PMR) Africa named DUT as the number one Higher Education Institution in KwaZulu-Natal and presented DUT with the 2022 Leaders and Achievers Award. He indicated that DUT is extremely proud of its students and staff who continue to live the values and principles as enshrined in the university’s ENVISION2030 strategy.
DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu conferred the degrees and awarded diplomas and certificates to the last cohort of graduates. He acknowledged Prof Abdool Karim for his magnificent contribution in the health sector and congratulated the students who had a chance to share the graduation stage with Prof Abdool Karim.
Once again, women dominated the list of DUT graduates, over 61% received their qualifications during this Autumn Graduation season.
In total, 7457 students obtained their undergraduate qualifications while 665 graduated with their postgraduate qualifications. The Faculty of Management Sciences had a total number of 2909 graduates, the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics had 2648 graduates, followed by the Faculty of Arts and Design with 724, alongside 690 graduates from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, 633 graduates from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment and 518 students graduated from the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Sharing a congratulatory message and vote of thanks was Professor Gugu Mchunu, Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences who began by congratulating the Class of 2022 for their phenomenal achievement against all odds. She thanked Prof Abdool Karim for accepting the DUT nomination, she said it means a lot for DUT to be associated with the scientific giant like him. Prof Mchunu said DUT is looking forward to a meaningful partnership with Prof Abdool Karim.
“I hope that our graduates learnt a lot from listening to Prof Abdool Karim and I hope that they aspire to be scientists of such high calibre. To our graduates, it warms my heart to see all the red gowns in front. Today defies the coming of age to all graduates and an ending of an student era, moving to a new stage. Today you are joining many hundreds of professionals who are ready to serve the society and I am confident that you will fulfil your duty in your field of study,” added Prof Mchunu.
She urged the graduates to go out in the world and be the change that people have been waiting for, fly the DUT flag high up by being Creative. Distinctive. Impactful.
Pictured: PhD graduates from the Faculty of Health Science.
Simangele Zuma
