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IT Students Given Awards For Their Outstanding Achievements

IT Students Given Awards For Their Outstanding Achievements

Academic excellence was honoured at the Durban University of Technology’s Information Technology (IT) department during its Annual Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, (17 October 2018) at the Mansfield Hall at the Ritson Campus.

These awards form part of the various initiatives by the IT department to encourage and motivate students to excel in their academic work. Every year top performing students for all levels of study are awarded for their outstanding work and dedication.

In his welcoming remarks at the event, Programme Director, Dr Progress Mtshali thanked the IT students for their hard work and dedication which culminated in many of them receiving awards in various categories.

Head of Department, Kesarie Singh said it was an honour and privilege to welcome all in one of many student events in the IT department’s calendar.

“Your (students) commendable successes contributed by the sacrifice and hard work has allowed you to obtain such academic excellence awards. Continue to inspire other IT students at DUT as well as the drive to others beyond DUT. Let this celebration be a stepping stone for better things to come. Always remain focused and humble as well as mindful of the contribution you can bring to society,” she said.

She also highlighted some of the achievements of the IT department and collaborations with industry partners such as Cisco and Aspen where three students were given bursaries. She also mentioned that the department recognised the unconditional support from parents and guardians, the passion and dedication shown by lecturers, and the commitment of both the department and the faculty in order to ensure students excelled in their academic studies.

Certificates, trophies and prizes sponsored by industry partners were awarded to 35 awardees from the Information Technology and Financial Information Systems programmes.

The categories for the awards were for Achievement of Excellence, Merit, Special Achievement, Best Software Project, Best Developed Project, Best Bachelor of Technology Project, Graduate of the Year, Diplomate of the Year, Best Research Dissertation and Leadership and Service.

Receiving a total of three awards (Merit, Best Project and Diplomate of the Year) was Abdullah Ally, who is currently studying towards his BTech Degree in IT, and, he said the number of awards he had received caught him by surprise, but he attributed them to his hard work and sacrifice.

“I didn’t know how many awards I was going to take today, but it is actually a very nice feeling to see your hard work being celebrated. At home, my dad is an accountant and my mother is a teacher, and somehow IT relates to their professions,” said the ecstatic Ally.

Also, students Fanie Ndlovu and Reddy Bambi were given the Leadership and Service Awards in recognition of their outstanding contribution towards the departments objectives of advancing ICT, promoting student leadership and uplifting the communities.

Both were surprised but elated to receive such a special award. “It is truly an honour to know that I am being given recognition by the department for my work. My aim is to get students engaged and giving back to the community,” added Bambi.

Speaking on behalf of the Accounting and Informatics Faculty Executive Dean, Professor Oludayo Olugbara, was the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, Dr Knowledge Ngwane.

He congratulated the awardees saying that the awards were presented to top performing students in recognition of their hard work and outstanding achievements and is also a way of encouraging other students to work to the best of their ability.

“What is important is to celebrate the students’ achievements, and we (DUT) is proud of this department and its initiative that produces great IT students for industry who fly DUT’s flag high,” he said.

Geeva Subrayn, from Dimension Data, also congratulated all the students on their outstanding achievements. “A hearty congratulation goes to the HOD and academics of the department as they are on the right track in terms of their teachings in ICT and the fourth Industrial revolution,” he said.

Pictured: IT lecturers and award recipients at the award ceremony.

Waheeda Peters

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