The Durban University of Technology (DUT) continues to train students that can compete and conquer the world, especially in the field of Emergency Medical Care and Rescue.

One particular graduate is Michael Thulane Gwala, who is currently working at Mediclinic Middle East, as an advanced life support paramedic in Dubai.

This afternoon (Tuesday, 14 May 2019), he graduated for his BTech in Emergency Medical Care within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus in Durban.

“EMCR is one of the toughest training I ever did in my entire life. I am very happy to have graduated. I was very happy when I was graduating for my National Diploma because it was my first graduation. I can say BTech is a bonus and I am over the moon because this is my first degree,” he said proudly.

His journey started with his National Diploma qualification at the age of 30 while he was working as a paramedic at the Mshiyeni Hospital. Four years later he graduated and the qualification opened new doors for him in companies such as the KZN EMRS, Gauteng EMS, Netcare 911, Maponya 911 and Langamed Emergency Management.  

His first qualification also served as a personal inspiration and drove him to pursue his BTech in Emergency Medical Care.  “I am the only one in my family who passed the EMC training like a boss. No one is keen to enrol for EMC,” he chuckled.

For Gwala, as a seasonal paramedic, he relishes to work under tremendous pressure and is always eager to learn from the best.

“I want to be among the finest paramedics in the world. My principal aim is to compete among the greatest and do all international trainings for paramedics,” he added.

Despite having a demanding job internationally, Gwala intends to enrol for his Masters degree in EMC in the near future.

Pictured: Michael Thulane Gwala

Waheeda Peters