Loud cheers of ululation, tears of joy, parents expressing their sheer admiration and love to their ‘baby graduates’ who have made them proud, formed the order of the morning. This culminated the beginning of the first of 35 graduation ceremonies which took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, (ICC) for the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Celebratory Autumn Graduation ceremony on Monday, 11 July 2022.
Between today, 11 July 2022 and 27 July 2022, DUT will dedicate a total of twelve (12) days, nine (9) in Durban and three (3) in Pietermaritzburg towards 35 celebratory graduation sessions for 9081 graduates.
Senior Director: Division of Corporate Affairs Mr Alan Khan officially welcomed the DUT Chancellor in absentia, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi, Vice-Chancellor and principal, Prof Thandwa Mthembu , deputy-Vice-Chancellors, Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Executive Deans and Deputy Deans, members of Faculty, the DUT Convocation, the SRC and members of the academic procession, graduates, parents, their guardians, family and friends, supporters and funders, the academic administration and support sectors of DUT.
“It’s truly wonderful to see a return back to physical, in person graduation ceremonies and it’s wonderful to see so many, good- looking, smiling graduates who are about to walk the red carpet.
Over the last two and a bit years the COVID-19 pandemic has not only disrupted our lives but it changed the way we had to live and learn,” added Mr Khan.
He also made mention that the actual graduation ceremonies were held online as has been the case since 2020 and those virtual graduation ceremonies took place in 2020.
“Of those 9081 graduates, 5421 are women, 2660 are men. That means 59.7% DUT graduates are women, girl power is alive and well at the Durban University of Technology.
Next Wednesday, 20 of July 2022 DUT will celebrate the honorary doctorate of philosophy, the legendary artist Thembi Mtshali-Jones who was conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts at this year’s graduation.
“We are delighted to formally welcome Dr Mtshali-Jones into the DUT family.
The ceremony continued with the conferment of diplomas, degrees and and Master’s qualifications by vice-chancellor and principal, Prof Thandwa Mthembu to the graduates.
Giving the vote of thanks was Interim Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Prof Sudesh Rathilal,
“It’s been two years since we had physical graduation and it surely has been missed. This is a remarkable event in anyone’s career and we celebrate that final stage for the graduates. 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. Thanks also go out to the ICC staff and other external members that also worked at very short notice to achieving a great session for this graduation. To the class of 2021, I congratulate, well done,” he said.
To view the livestream ceremonies, go to www.dut.ac.za
#DUT Autumn Graduation
# DUT Celebratory Grad 2022
#I am DUT
Pictured: Excited graduates at the first of 35 graduation ceremonies which took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, (ICC).
Waheeda Peters
