For thousands of students and their loved ones, graduation is more than a ceremony, it’s a deeply personal moment of pride and celebration after years of gruelling hard work. It symbolises a passage from student life to new phases of existence and reinforces the bonds that students formed with the university, creating lasting memories.
This May, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) shares in that joy as it celebrates 199 adaptive graduates marking their graduation day at the first day of the first session of the DUT Autumn Graduation 2026 season in the Midlands. The celebrations commenced at the Indumiso Campus Hall in Pietermaritzburg, today, Monday, 11 May 2026 where graduates excitedly shared their proud moments of gracing the stage to receive their academic qualifications with their loved ones.
Sharing his welcome message to the graduates, academics, parents, and stakeholders was Senior Director of Corporate Affairs: Mr Alan Khan. He shared on how proud DUT is of their students and staff who consistently live the values and principles as enshrined in the ENVISION2030 strategy.
Mr Khan indicated that in the State of University Address by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu said that the ambition is clear which is to build a university where creativity is not exceptional but expected; where innovation is not occasional, but continuous; and where the collective efforts translate into meaningful impact for society.
“This supports our Philosophy of Education at DUT which states our creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society. We are thrilled to introduce you to some of our adaptive graduates today, who will go on to make a positive difference to our community, country and continent,” he shared.
Adding to the conversation of adaptive graduates at DUT was the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s message to DUT graduates. Professor Thandwa Mthembu shared that their achievements reflect the long days, the difficult choices and the determination that have brought them to this point at DUT.
“This is more than the awarding of qualifications, it is a clear indication that you are ready to engage the world as adaptive graduates who have ‘the acumen to initiate, influence, respond or react to changes in the world’ with purpose and confidence,” expressed Prof Mthembu.
Expressing her admiration of the recipients at the first Midlands Graduation ceremony was Campus Director of the Midlands Campuses, Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane. She enthusiastically welcomed all graduates at the Midlands Campuses which are Indumiso and Riverside, and which occupy a special place within DUT.
“When your child was accepted to study at DUT you may not have been aware that there was DUT in Pietermaritzburg; but these campuses are very much part of DUT. They continue to make a significant contribution to the University’s academic project and to the broader development of KwaZulu-Natal and our country,” she said proudly.
Professor Oludayo Olugbara, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics at DUT culminated the event with his vote of thanks.
“Dear adaptive graduates, you are the messiahs who will drive the anticipated change and address the complex socioeconomic problems facing humanity in this fast-moving and unpredictable world. A bright future does not exist without your generation showing the way forward. The skills you have developed during your studies with us have prepared you for this great task of changing the world to achieve a better and peaceful ecosystem for all. Hence, go past the crowd with confidence in your acquired capabilities and human wisdom to transform the world,” he said.
Prof Olugbara went on to congratulate all adaptive graduates, saying it is incredible to see how far the adaptive graduates have transformed and what they have accomplished during these few years have stayed with DUT.
“Thank you for making us proud through the numerous international accolades you have won for the university and the country. Please, wherever you go, whatever you do, be good ambassadors for this great university,” he concluded.
Pictured: The first cohort of DUT graduates at Indumiso Campus.
Photography: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Waheeda Peters
