Ameerah Sabjee is among the top achievers of the Faculty of Health Sciences who will be honoured for academic excellence at the upcoming Durban University of Technology Autumn Graduation. She will graduate Cum Laude with a Dean’s Merit Award for her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Chiropractic at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Friday, 22 May 2026.
The 22-year-old Sabjee from Durban has demonstrated exceptional commitment to academic excellence through her resilience, discipline and passion for the field of chiropractic care. She described her journey at DUT as both challenging and transformative, recalling the pressures of demanding coursework, COVID-19 disruptions, long study hours and the realities of campus life.
One of the biggest challenges she faced was managing intense academic pressure while maintaining consistency throughout the programme. She also experienced disruptions such as university strikes, which added uncertainty to her academic journey. However, she said these experiences strengthened her resilience, adaptability and ability to remain focused despite obstacles.
Graduating Cum Laude with the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award is an incredibly humbling and rewarding achievement for Sabjee. She said it represents not only academic success, but also perseverance, sacrifice and personal growth.
It is particularly meaningful to her as she is the first in her family to achieve this milestone, which she sees as a reminder that hard work truly pays off. She also credited her faith in God for giving her strength during difficult moments. Reflecting on her journey, she noted that she did not receive many academic awards during her school years, making this recognition at university level even more meaningful and affirming.
Among the DUT values and principles, Sabjee resonates strongly with excellence and integrity. She said the value of excellence motivated her to consistently strive for high standards in her work, while integrity ensured she remained honest, disciplined and accountable throughout her studies. She expressed gratitude to her family for their continuous support and encouragement, describing them as her foundation throughout her journey. She looks forward to celebrating her graduation with them.
Although Chiropractic was not her first choice of study, Sabjee said her journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life and has shaped her into the person she is becoming.
She is currently furthering her studies by completing a Master of Health Sciences in Chiropractic, with the goal of continuing to grow academically and professionally. She is also working as a tutor at the university, assisting students with orthopaedic practicals and diagnostics. This role has allowed her to give back while strengthening her own understanding of the field.
Her long-term goal is to establish her own chiropractic practice and eventually become a lecturer at DUT. She is passionate about both patient care and education and hopes to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare field while inspiring future students.
Pictured: Ameerah Sabjee.
Simangele Zuma
