Sherlien Prithepaul, beloved teacher
Durban University of Technology’s Faculty of Health Sciences is mourning the loss of its lecturer Ms Sherlien Prithepaul, popularly known as “Ms P” in the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology. She passed away on Saturday, 14 January 2012 after a long battle with cancer. Prithepaul completed 15 years of service with the University in August last year.
Ms P was a lecturer in Immunology and Microbiology since 2000. Last year she received the National Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award from the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of South Africa (HELTASA) and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). She is survived by her two children, Alistair (19) and Jade (16).
Paying tribute to her, Faculty of Health Sciences Deputy Dean, Greg Bass said: “To the Faculty of Health Sciences Sherlien was a special teacher and she touched so many lives. We lose someone who made a difference, someone who really cared, someone who believed that by giving to others the world would be a better place, a place where good education serves man in love and peace. She was an extraordinary teacher who spent the majority of her working life teaching students her discipline, Biomedical Technology.”
In her motivation for the National Excellence in Teaching award that she received, Sherlien stated “I am both a friend to my students, and a stern lecturer. Work time is work time. Play time is play time. The two overlap but don’t intrude on each other’s space.”
DUT’s Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Technology HOD Pavitra Pillay said: “Sherlien will be remembered as someone who always gave of her best despite many challenges and had tremendous strength and determination, she contributed richly to teaching and learning and other aspects of the programme. I am grateful for having known her as a friend and colleague. She has left a huge void in the department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology and will be sorely missed.”
Her students described her as a lecturer, mother, mentor, role model, and friend who always went the extra mile for the benefit of her students, even when it inconvenienced her, with no complaints or regrets, a smile on her face and nothing but well wishes in her heart. She is remembered for her passion for knowledge and being a resourceful and innovative lecturer.
She is the niece of Ms Lalitha Singh, Executive Secretary: International Education and Partnerships.
– Andile Dube
