The innovative Viyosha Govender graduated Cum Laude for her Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony, which was held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Saturday, 24 May 2025.
Govender (22) from Durban was ecstatic after graduating Cum Laude for the second time. She said her academic achievement reflected her dedication, long hours, and hard work she has consistently put into her studies, which made her journey more rewarding.
She described her DUT journey as having been a rollercoaster of emotions, making her stronger academically and personally.
“I completed my three-year Diploma in Information and Communications Technology in Applications Development in 2023. Then, in 2024, I completed my Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology. I have had an amazing experience, I worked on applications that addressed real-world problems, and our innovations sparked as we completed the projects. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals, which taught me the value of teamwork and communication. While there were challenges along the way, such as balancing deadlines and mastering complex concepts, I was able to push through and improve my time management and problem-solving skills,” shared Govender.
She said her academic journey allowed her to think outside the box and further develop her software development skills, preparing her for the future. Looking ahead, she is excited to apply the knowledge and skills she gained at DUT to contribute to the tech industry. She is eager to continue learning and growing in the field, with the goal of making a meaningful impact through innovative software solutions. Govender is currently working at BET Software where she is gaining hands-on experience and opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her team.
She strongly associated with several DUT values and principles, including transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability.
“In both individual and group work, I was striving to be transparent in how I approach tasks and honest in my communication with peers. Integrity was central to the quality of work I produced, while respect and accountability guided how I engaged with others, especially in collaborative environments. In terms of DUT’s principles, Fairness, Professionalism, Commitment, Compassion, and Excellence, I relate deeply to each. I believe in being fair and respectful to others’ ideas, maintaining a professional attitude, staying committed to tasks, showing compassion for fellow students’ challenges, and always striving for excellence in everything I do,” added Govender.
One of the main challenges she faced was working in teams with individuals who had different work pace and approaches. She found it often difficult to manage group tasks effectively. However, through open communication and persistence, her group eventually learned how to work together and achieve their goals successfully.
Her aim is to continue growing in the tech industry and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of technology. Govender wants to be a part of creating solutions that make a difference in the modern world.
Pictured: Adaptive graduate, Viyosha Govender.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Simangele Zuma
