Today, 18 May 2026, marks the beginning of the 2026 Autumn Graduation season at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban until Wednesday, 27 May 2026. Once again, women constitute the majority of graduands, with over 62 percent being women.
Dr Akira Singh, one of the achieving woman graduate and lecturer in the Department of Auditing and Taxation at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), who is one of the 7993 adaptive graduates, and the first PhD completion in Accounting within the Faculty, making the achievement a remarkable one at the DUT Autumn Graduation Ceremony which took place at the Olive Convention Centre on Monday, 18 May 2026.
She is ecstatic to have represented the first PhD completion in Accounting within the Faculty, making the achievement a remarkable one at the DUT Autumn Graduation Ceremony.
“This moment feels surreal it’s all the prayers, hard work, sacrifices, that have led to this unforgettable moment, so I am extremely excited and emotional,” shared Dr Singh euphorically.
For Dr Singh this momentous occasion is only the beginning of her academic career which she aims to continue, leading her to achieve her professorship.
The 30-year-old academic says her journey at DUT has been transformative, progressing from being a student to becoming a member of the academic staff while completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting, specialising in Taxation. Her journey has allowed her to grow academically and professionally while contributing to teaching, postgraduate coordination, and community engagement within the department.
She spoke on her dissertation titled: Further Adoption of Artificial Intelligence for Optimal Tax Administration in the 21st Century South Africa: An Evaluative Study. She explained that this study evaluates the potential for the further adoption of Artificial Intelligence within South Africa’s tax administration system, focusing on improving efficiency, compliance, and governance within the South African Revenue Service.
Dr Singh intends to continue contributing to academic research through publications and collaborative projects, while also exploring opportunities for postdoctoral research and further academic development. Her aim is to progress within academia towards professorship, where she can contribute to impactful research, mentor postgraduate students.
Professor Oludayo Olugbara, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, delivered his encouraging remarks to graduates. He indicated that this annual event formally recognises the competence, commitment and contribution of students passage from student life to new phases of existence and reinforces the bonds that students formed with the university, creating lasting memories. He further emphasised that the skills that the adaptive graduates have required is to flourish and contribute significantly to society.
“I would like to thank everyone for attending this ceremony and making it a big success. Your support and enthusiasm have added to the success of the ceremony,” he concluded.
DUT congratulates all adaptive graduates from the Class of 2025 and wishes them well as they contribute meaningfully to the economy and transform society.
Pictured: Dr Akira Singh, one of the top woman graduates at DUT.
Photography: Khulasande Tshayile
Waheeda Peters
