Rydell Tyrone Thomas, an Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT): Application Development student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), is over the moon for being selected for the one-year position as the class representative at the University’s Faculty of Accounting and Informatics Board.
Thomas said he did not expect to be chosen for the prestigious position. He indicated that when he was asked by his IT Head of Department (HOD), Dr Jeanette Wing, to apply, his mind was racing and he called his parents immediately and told them the news on just being considered for the position.
“I am extremely excited that I was offered this position to be the University’s Faculty of Accounting and Informatics representative, this is something that I would have never thought would happen to me in my University career,” he said jubilantly.
He relayed that in early December 2021, a few days after he had approached his HOD for a testimonial he had received an email from her with regards to applying for the University’s Faculty of Accounting and Informatics representative position.
“As soon as I saw the email I phoned my mother and told her the news, naturally she was over the moon about me being considered for the position. A little later that day I sent my Curriculum Vitae (CV) to my HOD and she put forward my nomination. Then the wait began and on Wednesday, 2 February 2022, I received a phone call from the faculty officer, Nitasha Sakichand who informed me that I was accepted for the position,” he said.
Thomas shared that his new position entails responsibilities such as attending meetings with staff members from the Faculty and to communicate problems that students are experiencing within the Faculty.
Thomas has a great passion for computers and technology and is enjoying the different roles and challenges in this field. In 2020, he was selected to represent Information Technology (IT) and DUT at the prestigious Huawei Seeds for the Future 2020 Online Programme, which selects the most exceptional Information and Communications Technology (ICT) students together to study the latest in technology. Normally, the students chosen would go on a two-week trip to China, however with the COVID-19 pandemic, the selected students participated in an interactive online course for the 2020 programme.
Besides being selected for this exciting programme, Thomas is also part of the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors(MSLA) programme. It has been another driving force for him to try to upskill himself as the standard for developers in the world is very high.
For Thomas giving back to the University is also vital because he relayed that the institution does so much for students. “If students do not take it upon themselves to give back to the very same establishment that provides so much, there will be no activity to showcase the University’s talents and skills. Hopefully I can fulfil my role as the Faculty representative to its fullest. To 2022, may it continue to be as fruitful as it has been already,” he said happily.
Going forward, Thomas conveyed that he would like to be able to work as hard as he did to obtain his ICT: Application Development Diploma, and to just continue with the energy that he had started with at the beginning of his University career.
“Another goal that I would like to achieve this year, 2022, is to complete my Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) qualification,” he said.
Pictured: Rydell Tyrone Thomas
Waheeda Peters
