Moonira Joosab is filled with excitement as she completed her BTech degree in Clinical Technology: Cardiology with Cum Laude and Dean’s Merit award. She will be graduating at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Summer Graduation on 1st of December 2021.
Joosab hails from La Mercy in the North of Durban and is grateful to her husband for introducing her to the Clinical Technology course, and encouraging her to open a door to higher education that she thought was closed forever.
“Being a mature student and a mom of four children, my challenges and responsibilities were very different to that of my peers and this journey was not easy. I was totally awestruck and emotional when I received the phone call which informed me that I will be graduating not only Cum Laude but also receiving the Dean’s Merit Award. I was humbled since this honour had surpassed my expectations,” she relayed excitedly.
Joosab is extremely grateful to the Almighty as without Him none of this would have been possible.
“My parents, husband and children were over the moon with joy, since they were my pillars of strength during this time,” said Joosab.
She (Joosab) always had such a passion for the medical field, and she was previously enrolled at the Witwatersrand University for Medicine but did not complete the degree. Joosab revealed that she had to compromise some things to focus on her studies.
“Trying to balance studying and being a full-time mom and wife resulted in many sleepless nights to achieve good results. I overcome this with alot of prayer, and I had to prioritise. My studies and family come before all else. No socialising, no friends, and no parties. Travelling daily, while doing my BTech, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg for a year was exhausting; however, the wonderful teaching environment and the amazing results achieved mode the sacrifice worthwhile,” she said.
Joosab believes in the universal saying that if a person loves what he/she does, that person will never work a single day in their life. It is for that reason that she aims to continue to study and improve herself in the numerous facets of cardiac technology.
“My advice to new students is that the practical component of our course together with the theoretical understanding of what we do is of paramount importance to your success as a cardiac technologist. Ensure that you excel in both. Without a doubt there will be many hurdles but remember your attitude will determine your altitude. May you all summit the ‘Everest’ of your dreams,” said Joosab.
Pictured: Moonira Joosab
Nikiwe Sukazi
