Being the first Radiography student in the programme’s history to graduate with a combination of academic and leadership honours is both humbling and significant for Luke Jaden Krishnan.
The 23-year-old from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal graduated Cum Laude with his degree in Radiotherapy at the Durban University of Technology ‘s (DUT’s) Autumn Graduation Ceremony Friday, 22 May 2026.
“I do not see it as a personal milestone alone, but as a reflection of what is possible when students are supported and willing to fully engage across multiple dimensions of their development. It sets a precedent, and I hope it encourages others to pursue excellence in a more holistic way,” he shared euphorically. Luke also believes it is important not to define oneself by limiting titles or singular achievements, but to strive for an impact that extends beyond them.
Luke, who currently serve as a Community Service Radiotherapist, says that his journey at DUT has been both demanding and deeply formative. From the outset, he has committed to balancing academic excellence with meaningful leadership and service. “Serving as a Class Representative allowed me to advocate for my peers while navigating the academic pressures of the programme. Alongside this, I remained actively involved in community engagement, awareness initiatives, and leadership roles within and beyond the university. The programme required resilience, adaptability, and consistency, particularly during clinical training, where theory met the realities of patient care,” he shared.
For Luke, his choice of study pertaining to human biology has been a passion of his from a young age, sparked by a human anatomy atlas his parents gave him as a child. “Oncology is also deeply personal, as I have lost both my grandmother and a close high school friend to cancer. Radiotherapy was therefore a deliberate choice. I was drawn to the integration of science, technology, and patient-centred care, and to the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the treatment and support of cancer patients,” he expressed.
Throughout his studies, he had achieved 36 academic distinctions and received several subject awards. Luke was honoured with both the Gold and Platinum Dean of Students’ Prestigious Awards, recognising excellence in leadership, academic achievement, and service. “Through DUT IEP, I was also selected nationally as an Abe Bailey Travel Bursary recipient, which included travel to the United Kingdom and induction into the fellowship,” he highlighted.
In addition, Krishnan received the Faculty of Health Sciences award for embodying professionalism, commitment, excellence, and respect, as well as a Literary Award from the DUT Writing Centre for Writing Excellence for a forthcoming published piece reflecting on the era of apartheid. He has also been nominated for the 2026 Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans in the Health and Wellness category.
All Luke’s achievements is resonated strongly with all DUT values and principles. His Faculty Dean, Professor Gugu Mchunu, often encouraged both staff and students to intentionally embody a different DUT value or principle each day until these become a natural part of one’s character.
“This perspective shaped my approach throughout my studies. I am honoured to have received the Faculty of Health Sciences Embodiment of Living Values Principles Award, in recognition of professionalism, commitment, excellence, and respect,” he shared.
Whilst being a dynamic student, Luke expressed that a challenge he had faced was maintaining a high level of academic performance while fulfilling leadership responsibilities, clinical demands, community engagement, and personal commitments. “The radiotherapy programme is rigorous, and clinical training introduces emotional and psychological demands, particularly when working with oncology patients. I adopted the mindset of succeeding despite challenges rather than using them as justification for setbacks. To better equip myself, I also completed an additional short course on death, grief, and dying, which strengthened my ability to support patients with greater care and dignity,” he said.
Luke indicated that he intends to pursue further studies. “I am particularly interested in advancing my knowledge within radiation oncology and contributing to both clinical practice and research,” he added. Currently, his research partner and him are working towards publishing their dissertation, which explores radiotherapy students’ perceptions and experiences of clinical training.
“My aim is to grow as a competent and compassionate healthcare professional while contributing to the advancement of cancer care in South Africa. I hope to be involved in mentorship, leadership, and initiatives that improve both patient outcomes and the training of future healthcare professionals,” emphasised Luke.
Imparting his advice to first-year students,Luke says they need to approach the programme with discipline and intention from the start. “That said, it is never too late to raise your standards and challenge yourself to discover your full potential, dwelling on time lost only leads to more of it being wasted. Focus not just on passing, but on truly understanding the work. Be consistent, manage your time effectively, and build strong relationships with peers and mentors. Most importantly, stay connected to the purpose behind the profession, as this will sustain you through its challenges,” he said.
Pictured: Luke Jaden Krishnan
Waheeda Peters
