A qualified chemical engineer, Caressa Munien believes graduating Cum Laude for her Master of Engineering will be a privilege, honour, and genuine blessing from God. She will be among the top achievers from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment who will be honoured for their academic excellence at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Tuesday, 27 May 2025.
She indicated that her accolade reflects her professional and personal triumphs, and her growth.
“Obtaining Cum Laude is a symbol and testament to the idea that integrity, diligence, and honesty will always be rewarded,” said Munien who has industrial experience as a Process Engineer and Project Manager.
She actively contributes and applies her expertise in the Green Engineering Research Group at DUT, where her research focus area has been in the treatment of water and wastewater and in developing advanced oxidation processes, photocatalytic degradation, and contributing to green and sustainable technology for water and wastewater treatment. Over the several years at DUT, Munien has blossomed from a budding petal into a bright and vibrant flower within, constantly evolving. She has had the privilege of having worked closely with some of the most highly esteemed DUT professionals where she has built lifelong relationships.
Munien is currently a Doctor of Engineering (DEng) candidate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at DUT. The title of her Master’s dissertation is: Optimisation of Photocatalytic Degradation of Wastewater Using Oxide and Non-Oxide Photocatalysts.
“Wastewater treatment is a global concern, especially in developing countries with limited access to safe and clean facilities, resulting in individuals practicing unsafe and unsustainable human practices. This poses challenges for South African wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) due to the aging infrastructures and the use of conventional technologies. Also, recent population growth, urbanisation, and industrial activities have given rise to contaminating water resources with recalcitrant organic micropollutants (OMPs),” shared Munien on her study.
In addition, she added that her study determined the best photocatalysts and light source will be to maximise the treatability performance of industrial wastewater.
Some of the DUT Living Values she mainly associates with are transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability, and believes the principles that underpin these values are fairness, commitment, and compassion.
“These values and principles not only align with my academic field of study (Water Treatment/Green Engineering) but also passionately align with my life goals and desires in a personal capacity. My primary objective is the preservation of our planet, its ecosystems, and society, whilst promoting and contributing to the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union (AU) 2063 Agenda for an efficient and sustainable future for all. My academic achievements give me deep satisfaction and peace of mind, knowing that I am contributing to assisting animal life, the environment, the planet, and future generations to heal from anthropogenic activities. Thus, I aim to lead with transparency, honesty, integrity, and respect whilst promoting equity, commitment, and compassion toward remediation, health, and sustainability for all,” said Munien.
The main challenge she faced as a student was the academic pressure that came with achieving her academic goals.
Sharing her passion for her field, Munien said: “As a profound thinker with a technical mindset and a love for the planet, I enjoy exploring processes at the molecular level. Therefore, I was drawn to the fascinating field of chemical engineering, which encompasses advanced green engineering and sustainable technologies.”
She advised students to pursue a career path that they are passionate about as she is certain that passion will be the fuel that would drive their success.
Pictured: Caressa Munien.
Simangele Zuma
