Reneé Premandham, a 22-year-old graduate from the quiet town of Tongaat, made her mark at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) after earning her Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Biotechnology Cum Laude at Olive Convention Centre (OCC) on Monday, 19 May 2025.
Her academic journey at DUT began in 2022, marked by remarkable accomplishments, unwavering resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.
Premandham explained that she was surprised by her Cum Laude, explaining that while she had always been a dedicated student, self-doubt especially under the weight of academic stress often clouded her confidence. “I never thought I was capable of graduating with such honour,” she shared.
Premandham said that she on the DUT’s principle she mostly resonates herself with compassion. “Everyone is facing something and giving people grace can go a long way.” This principle shaped her interactions both academically and personally throughout her time at university.
One of the biggest hurdles she faced was the long daily commute to campus. Living far from DUT made time management particularly difficult, forcing her to adapt quickly and develop strategies to stay on top of her responsibilities. This experience, though demanding, ultimately instilled a strong sense of discipline an essential skill that became even more valuable as she progressed into her Honours year, where managing time efficiently was crucial.
Her graduation was a proud moment for her entire family. Having witnessed her hard work and perseverance, both her immediate and extended family celebrated her success with overwhelming joy some even more enthusiastically than she did herself.
Premandham had initially planned to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. However, after realising it was not the right fit, she discovered Biotechnology a field that beautifully combined her passion for biology and chemistry. It quickly became clear that she had found the right path.
Currently, Premandham is pursuing her Honours in Biotechnology and expressed a strong desire to enter the research and development sector. Her goal is to be part of a team that creates meaningful impact through science. She acknowledged the field’s challenges, long hours, repeated trials, and failed experiments but saw fulfilment in the process and the eventual results.
Pictured: Reneé Premandham with a faculty member at graduation.
Sinamile Sithole
