The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is delighted to have a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, a multinational South African holding company for pharmaceutical concerns, and the largest medicine company in Africa.

In April 2018, representatives from Aspen had approached DUT’s Accounting and Informatics Faculty to sponsor student bursaries in the disciplines of HR, IT, Accounting and Taxation. A list of the top DUT second year IT students in need of bursaries were sent to Aspen, resulting in the selection of the first three IT students, who were given bursaries covering the full cost of their studies for 2018.

The announcement and awarding of the three bursaries to students Karabo Shokane, Shaylyn Naicker and Chezlyn Pillay, officially took place at the IT Boardroom, Ritson Campus on Wednesday, 25 July 2018, marking the beginning of a long term relationship with DUT and Aspen.

Speaking more on Aspen’s bursary programme Shamilla Essop, ‎Group Talent Development, Diversity and Inclusion Manager added that the company wants to acquire talent from entry level and develop talent into roles of impact and influence in the future.
“Building this pipeline of talent is critical to our sustainable business performance. Since the Aspen Bursary Programme was launched in 2015, we have been able to empower a total of 281 young South Africans,” she said excitedly.

DUT’s Professor Oludaya, O. Olugbara expressed his joy at the new, fruitful partnership with Aspen and wants to see the bursary opportunities expanded to other faculties at DUT, as well.

Adding their excitement on being the first selection of students to be given such a prestigious bursary is IT student Shaylyn Naicker, who said it was a great honour and privilege to receive a bursary from Aspen. “This bursary opportunity means that the financial burden of paying for fees and books is lifted off the shoulders of my family and as a student, I can focus all my attention on my studies. Receiving this bursary has given me the belief that hard work truly does bring you closer to your goals and opens doors to new opportunities,” he said.

Another ecstatic bursary recipient Karabo Shokane expressed his joy upon receiving the Aspen bursary. “It is one of the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, I am very happy. A bursary like this one can impact a student in a positive way that it motivates them to work even harder. Through hard work a lot can be achieved,” he said.

According to IT’s Jay Pancham, the event now marks the beginning of a long term relationship with DUT and Aspen, going forward.

Pictured: Aspen’s Anele Mngomezulu, Shaylyn Naicker (bursary recipient), Karabo Shokane (bursary recipient), Shamilla Essop (Aspen’s ‎Group Talent Development, Diversity and Inclusion Manager), DUT’s Professor Oludaya, O. Olugbara, Chezlyn Pillay (bursary recipient), Jay Pancham (DUT’s IT senior lecturer), DUT’s Dr Jeanette Wing and Zwakele Ngubane, DUT’s Director (Development and Alumni Relations), at the bursary announcement event at DUT.

Waheeda Peters