Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Ivana Govender from Chatsworth, Durban feels fortunate for having obtained Cum Laude and a Dean’s Merit Award for the second time.
Govender will be graduating (virtually) on the 1st of December 2021 for her Bachelor of Technology Degree in Civil Engineering: Structures at DUT’s Virtual Summer Graduation 2021. Coming from a background of engineers, Govender said choosing Civil Engineering was inevitable. Prior to this, she completed her Diploma in Civil Engineering with Cum Laude and a Dean’s Merit award in 2018.
“I come from a family of four siblings that have all studied engineering and have excelled alike, so celebrating achievements have almost become second nature to my parents. They were, however, remarkably proud. I have decided to put studying on hold and focus on gaining practical knowledge in the field,” said Govender.
She is currently employed by PERI Formwork and Scaffolding Engineering, where she designs cost efficient formwork solution for our Africa division. She added that the most exciting part about being a student was finding the parallel between all the theoretical knowledge learnt at university to the practical work done every day.
“In the middle of this course, I had moved away from my childhood home and bought a house in a different province. Single-handedly managing a household and studying was extremely challenging but I guess at the end of the day, all these challenges keep you on your toes,” said Govender.
She expressed how disappointing it is that graduation will be virtual as she would much rather be celebrating this achievement alongside her friends and family. Nonetheless, she feels everything makes sense due to the current circumstances we are facing as a country and the world at large.
“To someone that wishes to pursue a career in the same field I would say to them, don’t do it because you compelled to, but because you want to! You will soon realise that your passion is what makes you great and this will automatically propel you into opportunities that you could not imagine,” said Govender
Pictured: Ivana Govender
Nikiwe Sukazi
