The last group of graduates from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) graduated at the DUT Celebratory Autumn Graduation, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) on Tuesday morning, 12 July 2022.

DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu officially opened the ceremony and proceeded to confer the diploma, degrees and Master’s qualifications to the graduates.

The Programme Director was Dr Mal Reddy, Associate Director of the Department of Public Management and Economics at the DUT Faculty of Management Sciences. In her welcome address, Dr Reddy began by complimenting the graduates and the guests for looking fabulous, which she said makes the session more memorable.

“May I begin by congratulating the successful students for the outstanding achievement sustained studying over the extended period of time, engaging with new ideas and techniques, building new knowledge for work place experiences and enduring all the challenges imposed by the pandemic. It is a special partnership between parents, students and their professors as well as lecturers that produces the wonderful outcome. A partnership that is built on respect for each other and on the traditions of the noble profession of the academia. The sacrifices, commitments and passion of the parents are fundamental to this achievement,” added Dr Reddy.

As the last group of graduates from the FEBE proceeded to the graduation stage in celebration of the hard work, there cheers and ululation from their proud parents.

Professor Sudesh Rathilal, Acting Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment delivered the congratulatory message to the Class of 2021 and the vote of thanks.

“Hopefully we will see you again for future qualifications at DUT or as colleagues and collaborators of the future. Thanks to the chancellor, vice-chancellor and the management team for the ceremony, master of ceremonies, all the directors, managers and staff that have been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure that this function goes on successfully. Thanks to the stage announcers for calling out the names and presenting the graduates to the vice-chancellor, thanks to the Faculty staff of the Engineering and built Environment and to the departments within DUT that works as an ENVISION2030 team for putting the event together,” added Prof Rathilal.

The DUT Durban graduation celebrations are ongoing at the ICC until next Wednesday, 20 July 2022. The Midlands celebrations will be held at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from Monday, 25 July 2022 to Wednesday, 27 July 2022.

Pictured: The last group of the graduates from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

Picture credit: Sandile Nkosi.

Simangele Zuma