For the past 12 years the Durban University of Technology’s Information Technology Department has honoured students who had excelled academically. The awards event was hosted to encourage student performance.
Students from different levels of study were recognized for their academic excellence in different subjects. The award categories included Best Performance, Runner-up, Achievement, Special Achievement, Best software project, Best developed project, Best research project, Graduate of the year and Diplomat of the year.
IBM Executive IT Architect Dr Mweene Monze gave an inspirational talk to the awardees, present students and staff themed “translation”. Opening with a statement “you should not limit your boundaries, because nothing is impossible”. Dr Monze said other countries still think that Africa cannot look after itself, encouraging thefuture IT Specialists, Dr Monze emphasized the importance of believing in oneself and thinking beyond limitations. “Go out there and prove here in Africa we can build an IT System that will understand our problems, we do not need people from outside to solve our problems”. He said.
Students were awarded certificates, training vouchers,laptops and bursaries to name but a few. There are seven students who received bursaries based on their 2011 academic record. Two students were flown to Johannesburg for Work Inter-grated Learning and their performance has resulted in Multichoice taking them through their graduate programme starting in January 2013. 11 Btech students have secured bursaries from the National Research Foundation based on their 2011 academic record.
Nellinie Pillay who won the best performer and graduate of the year received amongst other gifts, a laptop from SQS, floating trophy and IPAD from Albaraka Bank. Pillay said even though she had been working hard, she was not expecting anything. She added, “I am very happy and excited but over the moon best describes this emotion, my hard work has paid off.” Last year Pillay received the diplomat of the year award.
Diplomat of the year award went to Sbongiseni Khumalo who graduated third year with 14 Distinctions out of a possible 22 making her a top achiever. Khumalo who was overcome with emotion said all the sleepless nights have finally paid off. Khumalo said, “Today is testimony to the saying, you reap what you sow, and I put on a lot of work I sacrificed a lot. I am happy and I thank God for everything.” Khumalo had also received a laptop sponsored by Aviva Systems.
IT Head of Department Kesarie Singh gave special recognition to all the sponsors as the day would have been impossible without them. Singh also congratulated all the students saying that it made her proud to see students excelling, “it means the Department is doing something right.”
Pictured: Information Technology awardees, with IT Head of Department Kesarie Singh and the awards sponsors.
–Nomvula Sikakane
