Becoming adaptive graduates encompassing living all DUT’s ENVISION2030 values and principles, and being creative, distinctive and impactful in society is what DUT aims to impart to its graduands.
Officially welcoming the graduands, academics, parents, sponsors and various other stakeholders to the event was Senior Director of Corporate Affairs: Mr Alan Khan.
He reiterated that the DUT 2025 Spring Graduation will see 290 Faculty of Accounting and Informatics graduandstake centre stage today, and a total of 940 adaptive graduands will walk the red carpet as DUT hosts the four graduation ceremonies in Durban.
The sterling first ceremony saw five esteemed PhD graduates taking the podium to receive their doctorates.
Among the distinguished graduates was Stephen Ochieng Oguta, who was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Technology, a milestone that marks not only a personal triumph but also global academic impact.
For Oguta, the journey to a PhD was far more than the pursuit of a degree. It was a story of resilience, sacrifice, leadership, and unwavering faith. Dr Oguta was born and raised in Kenya as the eldest of 16 children, he learned responsibility and perseverance early in life. Now 40 years old and residing in America, he has pursued academic excellence with determination, resilience, and a vision to impact both academia and society.
“I am deeply grateful to God for granting me the opportunity, strength, wisdom, and perseverance to reach this milestone graduating with a PhD in Information Technology is humbling and fulfilling it represents years of sacrifice, persistence, and faith. This achievement proves that consistent small steps lead to extraordinary results, said Oguta.
His groundbreaking thesis, Robotic Gamification Model for Climate Change Literacy for Green Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education, is a pioneering contribution to the intersection of technology, climate change, and education. At its core, the research addresses one of the most urgent global challenges climate literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa through an innovative model that merges robotics, gamification, and motivational psychology. Using the Nao social robot and gamified tools such as randomized badges and interactive assessments, the study demonstrated significant improvements in learner engagement and motivation.
Findings showed that the model significantly improved intrinsic motivation, long-term engagement, and interaction through the Nao social robot, highlighting its potential to transform technology-driven climate change education.
Oguta plans to pursue postdoctoral research and ultimately become a full professor and consultant, advancing knowledge in gamification, AI, climate change education, and green innovation. He is equally committed to mentoring young researchers and shaping the next generation of innovators.
Obtaining his Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology was George Essien whose thesis titled is: A Carbon Literacy for Green Innovation and Entrepreneurship Humanoid Robot-Assisted Digital Storytelling Model.
His thesis explores digital storytelling which in essence is the use of multimedia elements, such as text, image, audio, and video, to create and communicate stories on software or hardware platforms.
“These platforms include web-based applications, desktop applications, mobile applications, and social robots. Unfortunately, existing digital storytelling models lack essential elements necessary for creating humanoid robot-assisted digital storytelling. This thesis, therefore, employs the design science research paradigm to develop a humanoid robot-assisted digital storytelling model that educates selected undergraduate students on carbon literacy, empowering them to take action and reduce carbon emissions at individual, community, and organisational levels,” he shared. Essien highlighted that the thesis recommends employing humanoid robot-assisted digital storytelling for delivery training that spurs learning among students.
Rounding up the first graduation session, Khan emphasised that this Spring, 59% of the adaptive graduates are women which means that the ladies dominate the graduate list once again and that girl power is alive and well at DUT.
Mr Khan also excitedly informed the enthused graduands that DUT will be also awarding an Honorary Doctorate to renowned businessman, Mr Sipho Nkosi. The honorary doctorate will be conferred at the DUT 2025 Spring Graduation ceremony, which will be held at the Olive Convention Centre, Durban on Friday, 19 September 2025.
He will be among the second cohort of graduands from the Faculty of Management Sciences who will grace the graduation stage and be acknowledged for their dedication and achievement, in the closing ceremony of the DUT 2025 Spring Graduation.
“We wish you all the best on this incredible journey into the world. Your success today is only the beginning of greater things you will innovate adaptively. Congratulations, concluded the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu.
Pictured: Parents in jubilation at the DUT 2025 Spring Graduation.
Photography: Khulasande Tshayile/S’bonelo Dlamini
Waheeda Peters/Sinamile Sithole
