Maryam Ebrahim completed her Degree of her Bachelor of Applied Science in Biotechnology, achieving Cum Laude, a journey filled with challenges, growth and an amazing experience.
The dynamic lass graduated at the prestigious DUT 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony, at the Olive Convention Centre (OCC) on Monday, 19 May 2025.
Ebrahim, who hails from Pietermaritzburg, comes from a tight knit family who have always loved and inspired her. She explained how she had grown academically and personally over the past three years.
“I looked at DUT because I wanted an environment that would strengthen both my theoretical and practical foundations. I have always had a love and passion for science. Biotechnology, to me, was the combination of science and innovation. What drew me in the most towards it, is that it is constantly evolving and it brings science from paper to real life. My journey at DUT has been transformative because it has changed who I am, how I see myself and how much I’m capable of,” shared Ebrahim.
Ebrahim declared that her achievement means the world to her. She conveyed that it showed that all m her hard work and effort had finally paid off. “It is a reflection of my commitment and dedication to this degree. It is so incredibly rewarding to know that I have made myself and those that I love proud. This achievement is not only a reflection of the long nights and headaches, but also the encouragement from my family and the dedication from my mentors. It also serves as a motivation for me to aim even higher, to try new things and to be grateful for everything, always,” she explained.
Associating with DUT’s values and principles is what drove Ebrahim to be the best version of herself. She shared that she associates with each of the values and principles by which DUT operates, especially commitment and compassion.
“Commitment has always stood out to me because it highlights the importance of dedication, even when faced with challenges and deadlines. Compassion is a value I hold deeply; It means understanding that everyone is dealing with different things and to be kind to everyone,” she said.
Ebrahim said at times her studies was a bit difficult to find a balance between studies, her personal life, and other responsibilities. She confessed that this has always been a tougher obstacle to pass, but with good time management and prioritising, it became much easier. “Being stuck in a lab for three hours a day was an agonising pain, but I somehow made it. What kept me going was the unwavering support from my family and friends who have always reminded me of my potential, even when I doubted myself. I also always look at the bigger picture and the reward that each hardship leads to,” she shared.
Ebrahim remarked that I she barely knew anything about Biotechnology or the opportunities it would have in store for her, and after a few classes, something clicked and she knew this was the right thing for her to pursue. “I loved my modules and enjoyed my practicals. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and everything that led me here, has made me who I am today. It has become my true passion and I learn something new every single day,” she said.
Ebrahim is currently pursuing her Honours in Biotechnology. She made mention that it has been a challenging, yet inspiring few months.
“After this, I would love to pursue a Master’s degree, but should an amazing opportunity to work and apply these skills present itself, I might opt for that. I’m passionate about learning and growing in this field, so continuing academically is definitely my goal. At the same time, I believe that combining practical industry experience with postgraduate study will give me a solid foundation for the future,” she shared.
Ebrahim reiterated that she would love to work in a field relating to her Honours project, which looks at hypertension in South Africa and determining the properties of local plants to reduce blood pressure, using in vitro and in silico methods. “I think this year will broaden my horizons, as I will experiment with lab and computational work,” she added.
Her advice to a first year would be to stay consistent and positive. “Mind over matter, always. One should learn to see every setback as a lesson and every small win as progress. The important thing is to always look at the bigger picture and never dwell on what was or what could have been; it is vital to learn to use every opportunity to grow and better yourself,” said Ebrahim.
Ebrahim gave a glimpse into how DUT had supported her in achieving her goals.
“I was recently selected by my department to travel to Germany on a student academic and cultural exchange. To be validated for all my hard work and to be able to represent DUT was such an honour. This only pushed me to strive for more and to expand my horizons. DUT has also shaped my personal and academic growth. Lecturers were dedicated and helpful in both classroom and laboratory settings, ensuring that work was understood,” she added.
To whom Ebrahim owes her success, her answer is God. “ I am so grateful for my parents, my siblings and my best friend for always encouraging me to go the extra mile and inspiring me to be who I am today. I am also grateful to my lecturers who have guided me and always saw my potential,” she said happily.
Pictured: Maryam Ebrahim
Waheeda Peters
