Yeshlen Thulkanam, a 27-year-old top achiever from Richards Bay, had set his sights on making his mark in the field of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Built Environment in Construction Studies at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony, which took place at the Durban Olive Convention Centre on Tuesday, 27 May 2025.
Thulkanam began his academic journey at DUT in 2022, with his first semester conducted online. This required him to quickly adapt to virtual learning. However, with DUT’s strong support system and the guidance of dedicated lecturers, he successfully navigated the transition. When contact classes resumed, he fully embraced the university experience, formed meaningful friendships, expanded his professional network, and immersed himself in the world of construction and quantity surveying.
“Graduating Cum Laude is a dream come true. It is the result of late nights, perseverance, and unwavering commitment. But I could not have done it alone,” said Thulkanam.
He credited his family for their unwavering support, particularly his parents, who made countless sacrifices to see him succeed. His brothers, Arvachin and Aryan, also played a crucial role, constantly motivating him every step of the way.
Thulkanam also expressed deep gratitude to his lecturers for their guidance, support, and the valuable knowledge and skills they imparted. He acknowledged that their dedication played a key role in his academic success.
For Thulkanam, quantity surveying was more than just a field of study it was a perfect blend of his skills and interests. His passion for numbers, financial management, and construction made this career path a natural fit. As he furthered his studies with an honours degree in quantity surveying at DUT, he also gained practical experience as a junior quantity surveyor at Enza Construction.
Currently, he is working on the development of new administration buildings at DUT, a project he finds particularly rewarding as it allowed him to give back to the institution that had shaped his academic journey.
To aspiring students, he shared this advice: “Embrace every challenge, stay dedicated, and surround yourself with people who inspire you. University is more than just academics it is a journey of growth and discovery. Work hard, but also take time to enjoy the experience,” he said.
In the near future, Thulkanam planned to register as a candidate with the relevant professional body, marking a significant step toward his long-term goal of becoming a registered professional quantity surveyor. He aims to drive innovation and sustainability in infrastructure development, ensuring that every project he undertakes would leave a lasting impact on communities.
Pictured: Yeshlen Thulkanam
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Sinamile Sithole
