For Nikita Seeparsad, completing her Master of Health Sciences in Radiography at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is more than an academic achievement. It gave her the courage to pursue a new chapter in her life, outside of South Africa.
The 32-year-old Durban-born sonographer recently relocated to the United Kingdom, fulfilling a long-held personal ambition after completing her Master’s studies at DUT.
She was unable to attend her graduation held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Thursday, 17 September 2026. She celebrated the milestone from the UK, taking with her the knowledge and experience gained through her postgraduate journey.
Her thesis, titled “Factors influencing elderly patient perceptions and experiences of clinical service quality in a private and a public radiology facility in the eThekwini district,” explored how elderly patients experience the quality of clinical services at radiology facilities.
According to Seeparsad, using the SERVQUAL framework, alongside aspects such as accessibility and communication, the research examined what elderly patients expect from radiology services and how their experiences compare with those expectations. Her research focused on an area closely connected to her professional experience as a sonographer.
Her motivation for the research came from recognising that the patient experience is just as important as the technical quality of healthcare services.
“As a sonographer, I have seen how important the patient’s experience is alongside the technical quality of the service being provided. Healthcare can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when patients are unfamiliar with the environment, procedures or terminology being used,” she said.
For Seeparsad, the research was ultimately about ensuring that the voices and experiences of patients receive attention.
Reflecting on her Master’s journey, Seeparsad described it as challenging but immensely rewarding.
“Research was a completely different experience from simply working in clinical practice. It required patience, consistency and a willingness to keep learning and reading. There were many late nights, revisions, emails, deadlines and moments of doubt, but every stage taught me something new,” she said.
Balancing her studies with her professional and personal responsibilities was one of the biggest challenges she faced. However, Seeparsad learned to approach the journey one step at a time and to embrace feedback, ask questions and continuously improve her work.
She says one of the most important lessons she gained from the experience was resilience.
“Sometimes progress is simply opening your laptop after a long day and doing one more page, one more section or one more correction,” she said.
As she begins a new chapter in the United Kingdom, Seeparsad plans to continue developing her career in radiography and healthcare, while remaining open to opportunities in research, education, leadership and service improvement.
In the UK, Seeparsad carries with her a qualification earned at DUT and the confidence that comes from completing something she once found daunting.
“For me, this Master’s isn’t just something I can add to my name. It is a reminder that I set a goal for myself, stayed committed to it, and made it happen. Perhaps that is the part I am most proud of,” concluded Seeparsad.
Pictured: DUT Master’s graduate, Nikita Seeparsad currently settling in the United Kingdom.
Picture: Supplied.
Simangele Zuma
