A total of 83 outstanding student achievers from the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) were proudly celebrated at the second annual High Flyers Academy. This prestigious event was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) on Tuesday, 11 November 2025.
Each of these 2025 FAS high flyers, achieved distinctions of 75% and above, which demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, creativity, innovation and leadership potential within their respective programmes.
The Programme Director, Mr Nivar Somaru, the Academic Development Practitioner at the FAS applauded the high flyers for their hard work and dedication to their studies.
In his welcome and opening remarks, Professor Suren Singh, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences said as they marked the one-year anniversary of the High Flyers Academy’s launch, it was inspiring to see how this initiative has already taken flight, nurturing the brightest minds in applied sciences.
“This academy is more than a programme; it’s a gateway to a prestigious community where you will forge lifelong networks, engage in groundbreaking research, and emerge as adaptive graduates ready to tackle real-world challenges,” shared Prof Singh.
He revealed that the High Flyers Academy was launched on 07 November 2024. Prof Singh said it embodies the faculty’s dedication to grassroots excellence, starting from the foundations and soaring toward global impact. “In its inaugural year, we’ve invested R1 million to support international mobility, with 10 students visiting six premier universities in Germany, China, Hamburg, the Philippines, and New Zealand as part of the ENVISION2030 strategy. This year, we were unable to support this project due to financial constraints but several departments will be driving such initiatives in 2026 to ensure more opportunities for high-impact experiences like advanced coursework, internships, mentorship from the faculty and industry leaders, and roles as Science Ambassadors,” explained Prof Singh.
In addition, he shared that the high flyers’ participation in the programme was not just about personal growth, however, it was about moulding them as trailblazers who will drive meaningful change. As high flyers, Prof Singh said their role extends far beyond DUT. He said in South Africa’s evolving landscape, high-performing students like them in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, closely aligned with applied sciences, are pivotal to advancing higher education and improving the economy of the country.
Mr Anil Salick from FAS delivered an interactive session on leadership, personality and relationships. Sharing the positives about being a high flyer, Salick said these students have already shown the habits of high performers namely; consistency, task completion and learning stamina. He assured them that their academic success will open doors for them, for postgraduate studies and for being attractive to employers. He cautioned them that high pass marks will not guarantee them success in the world as many tasks in the professional life require additional competencies such as communication, adaptability, collaboration, leadership, initiative and teamwork. As high flyers, he indicated that FAS challenges them to apply for internships, volunteer for projects, pitch ideas, show curiosity and lead by example to fellow students.
Sharing the student success initiatives at DUT was Ms Faith Mbebe from the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). She highlighted DUT’s Philosophy of Education, a 10-word statement which says: “Our creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society.” She encouraged the high flyers to use the available resources to help them reach their full potential and contribute to making an impact in the society. According to Mbebe the main inhibitor of student success is poor class attendance. She pleaded with the high flyers to encourage other students to attend and engage in classes.
Professor Suren Singh with the guest speaker, Mr Marcus Govender.
The guest speaker was a Horticulture Alumnus at DUT (formerly Technikon Natal), Mr Marcus Govender who has become a leading figure in the horticulture and landscaping industry through his significant contributions to the green industry both locally and internationally.
He shared his inspiring journey from the humble beginnings in a rural farm in Hibberdene, KwaZulu-Natal to being the CEO and Founder of CONMAR Horticulture, a company he had established together with his wife, Mrs Constance Govender in 2013. Mr Govender left the high flyers motivated after sharing his remarkable career path since his graduation in 2001. He shared that he began his working life at Idube Landscaping, progressing from site manager to regional manager, overseeing projects across South Africa. In 2007, he joined Bidvest Topturf Mauritius as a Projects Manager, leading landscaping and irrigation developments on the prestigious Anahita IRS Development in Mauritius.
His expertise led him back to South Africa in 2008, where he managed Bidvest Topturf’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) operations before being promoted to Operations Director, overseeing projects in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and Zambia. In 2012, Mr Govender returned to Mauritius as the Managing Director of Bidvest Topturf Mauritius, leading operations and reporting to the Bidvest board in South Africa. This was his last job before he and his wife took a bold step of launching their own business, CONMAR Horticulture. Their company has since become an award-winning, holistic green industry service provider, specialising in horticulture, landscaping, sports turf, irrigation systems and civil engineering. He expressed his gratitude to his wife for being his support structure throughout his career path, advising them to always have a support structure. He also advised them to not focus on a single career but to explore other options to grow and to improve themselves.
High flyers from the various departments within FAS were excited to be awarded certificates and receiving gifts in recognition of their hard work. Ms Kamogelo Malata (25) from Diepkloof in Soweto shared her excitement on receiving an aggregate of 75,91% for her Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry. “It felt great to be recognised, it showed that hard work pays off. It has motivated me to work even harder. Cheers to growing and being bigger and better. Next year, I am definitely coming back to DUT for my Master’s in Chemistry.”
Expressing similar sentiments, Mr Junaid Rahim (22) from Phoenix said: “I am happy to have obtained 77% for my Degree of Sports Science and Management. It was a lovely experience and rewarding to be recognised for my hard work. I am looking forward to pursuing my Honour’s in Sport Science next year.”
In closing, the FAS Deputy Dean, Prof Tukayi Kudanga told the high flyers that DUT needs the next generation of young academics who will promote excellence, impactful research and innovation. he urged them to take advantage of the available programmes to develop themselves. He encouraged them to always aim for excellence so they could be the best versions of themselves.
Pictured: Some of the high flyers from the Faculty of Applied Sciences who were honoured at the event.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Simangele Zuma
