Flying the Durban University of Technology (DUT) flag high are two BTech Engineering graduates, Mr Tristin Noel Stainbank and Ms Veroshini Govender who were recently awarded the Institute of Professional Engineering Technologists (IPET) Award for being the top two BTech Engineering graduates in South Africa.
The IPET National BTech Engineering Excellence Awards were recently held at the School of Tourism and Hospitality in the University of Johannesburg.
For the second consecutive year, IPET has recognised the DUT Engineering graduates for their outstanding performance in their BTech studies. In 2020, the top BTech Engineering graduates were both from DUT, Mr Stephen Jonker and Ms Sanisha Gayadeen.
Govender from Chatsworth explained that together with Stainbank they were nominated by DUT for this award after being the highest achieving male and female BTech Engineering graduates in 2021. She indicated that this is inclusive of all engineering disciplines which is made up of chemical, mechanical, electrical, industrial as well as civil engineering. In 2021, Govender graduated Cum Laude and obtained the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award for her BTech in Chemical Engineering.
“Walking away as the Highest Female Academic Achiever in BTech Engineering in South Africa is an achievement I’ve never imagined possible. I am deeply humbled, grateful and extremely proud. Thank you to IPET for acknowledging us engineering technologists and thank you to DUT for setting a solid foundation. We were up against the top achievers from five other universities in the country (CPUT, UJ, TUT UNISA and Nelson Mandela University). It is an immense honour to receive this prestigious award,” said the elated Govender.
Speaking about her passion for engineering, Govender reiterated that studying engineering sharpens one’s methodical thinking and problem-solving skills, saying it is a versatile programme that allows one to work across many fields. She recently started working at Neucoat as a Research and Development Technologist and aims to eventually fit into an Operations/Process Engineer role.
Stainbank from Newlands East also graduated Cum Laude and obtained the Dean’s Merit Award with his BTech in Civil Engineering at DUT in 2021.
“The IPET Award is the highest award that an engineering student at a University of Technology in South Africa, can achieve at a BTech level. I am honoured and extremely proud of myself for achieving such a prestigious award. I worked exceptionally hard, I persevered, and I was determined to do well within my discipline. However, I never thought that I would one day receive a national graduate award. This journey has been a difficult one both personally and academically,” explained Stainbank excitedly.
He highlighted that being raised by a single mother who made a lot of sacrifices for him is what motivates him to always strive for excellence. Stainbank is currently employed at Waco Africa, under the Waco Engineering Services Division. He plans to work towards gaining his professional engineering technologist status (PRTech) and completing his Master’s degree.
Acting Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at DUT, Professor Sudesh Rathilal stated that having being part of the awards ceremony at UJ, he was very excited and proud to see that DUT students are excelling in the national arena.
“They are keeping the flag of DUT flying high. Both students are encouraged to also consider furthering their studies at DUT in the near future,” he said.
Pictured: DUT graduates, Veroshini Govender and Tristin Stainbank at the IPET Awards.
Simangele Zuma
