Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Philosophy of Education states that the university’s creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society. At the DUT 2026 Autum Graduation ceremony held at the Olive Convention Centre today, 18 May 2026, saw some of DUT’s sterling, adaptive PhD graduates who are aiming to make a positive difference to the institution’s community, country and continent.
Dr Egashnee Moodley–Bhulaye, Dr Tigambery Naidoo, and Dr Lwazi Manqoba were conferred with their Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy’s In Business And Information Management at the prestigious DUT 2026 Autum Graduation ceremony held at the Olive Convention Centre today.
Dr Moodley-Bhulaye focused her dissertation on the development of a digital system for the implementation of administration processes in community non-profit organisations in the eThekwini municipality.
“The focal aim of this research was to explore the administration processes used by NPOs based in eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal and develop a digital system to improve their service delivery efficiency,” she said. She explained that the study recommends a tailor-made digital system that NPOs can adopt for performance assessment and strategic decision support.
“The proposed digital system, named ‘UbuntuSmart SA’, was developed for implementing the administration processes of NPOs. The prototype digital system not only has the potential to streamline operations but also to empower staff, improve job satisfaction, and enable the NPOs to adapt to an evolving operational landscape,” she shared.
Whilst Dr Naidoo, a lecturer at the Durban University of Technology under the Grow Our Own Timber programme, said his journey represents a full academic progression from postgraduate student to doctoral graduate and developing academic, shaped by mentorship, growth and institutional support.
He described graduating with a PhD as a deeply humbling milestone that represents years of sacrifice, discipline and intellectual development. He said it is also a personal achievement rooted in his upbringing, where opportunities were limited but aspirations remained strong.
He said completing his doctorate challenged him to think critically, engage with complex problems and contribute original knowledge to his field.
“This study, completed in record time, has produced one published article and two articles accepted for publication in Department of Higher Education and Training-accredited journals, making it highly valuable by contributing to the scholarly field,” he shared.
Adding a congratulatory message to the adaptive graduates at DUT was the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu. He shared that the academic gown one wears today represents one’s resilience, one’s discipline and the power of education to change lives.
“As you step forward, remember this: you are not here by chance, you are here with purpose. This qualification will open doors, but it is your character that will determine how far you go on its basis,” said Prof Mthembu.
Pictured: Dr Egashnee Moodley–Bhulaye, Dr Tigambery Naidoo, and Dr Lwazi Manqoba were conferred with their Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy’s In Business And Information Management at the prestigious DUT 2026 Autum Graduation ceremony.
Waheeda Peters
