The Department of Auditing and Taxation, under the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, hosted its prestigious annual student award ceremony at the DUT Hotel School on the Ritson Campus. The event was a significant occasion, recognising the hard work and academic excellence of students within the department.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Deputy Dean, Professor Matthys Swanepoel, who played a vital role in the event. Attendees also included the Head of Department: Professor Olive Stumke, representatives from the Institute of Internal Auditors and the main publisher of books used by the two disciplines in the department-LexisNexis, esteemed departmental staff members, and the award-winning students.
Mrs Mary Mutanda, the event coordinator, kicked off the ceremony with a warm welcome and introduction. Her opening remarks set a positive tone for the day, highlighting the achievements of the students and the importance of academic excellence in the fields of Auditing and Taxation.
Following Mrs Mutanda’s introduction, Prof Swanepoel delivered a heartfelt congratulatory address. He commended the students for their dedication and hard work, emphasising the importance of their contributions to the future of the auditing and taxation professions.
“Congratulations to you, students. If it weren’t for you, we would not be here celebrating this day. As the faculty and department, we are immensely proud of your achievements. I would like to congratulate you all and encourage you to remain focused and not let anything distract you.”
The Head of the Department then took the stage to extend her welcome and offer her own words of congratulations. Her speech underscored the department’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement among its students.
“You are not just top achievers; you are problem solvers. Influence others in your community, embrace change, and see it not as a hurdle but as an opportunity.”
One of the highlights of the day was a presentation by Keith Saimane from the Institute of Internal Auditors, one of the department’s valued industry partners. His insights into the current trends and future directions of the auditing profession were both enlightening and inspiring for the students.
The most anticipated segment of the event was the presentation of awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements of the students in three categories: bronze, silver, and gold certification. Each award represented a significant milestone in the students’ academic journeys, acknowledging their hard work, perseverance, and academic excellence.
In addition to the awards, a representative from LexisNexis Ms Chelsea Lambert delivered a presentation, further enriching the day with valuable industry insights. The ceremony also featured presentations from two of the department’s senior lecturers Dr Asogan Moodley and Mr Divakaran Reddy, who shared their expertise and offered words of encouragement to the students.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from two of the award recipients. In their heartfelt speeches, they expressed gratitude to their lecturers for their tireless efforts and unwavering support, recognising the critical role that the faculty played in their academic success.
Mr Dharmesh Bhagwan delivered the closing remarks, expressing gratitude to all the students who took the time to honour the invitation and to the staff members who tirelessly worked to organise the event.
Pictured: DUT staff and industry partner standing with one of the awardees.
Siphokazi Dlamini
