Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, Clint Raynor Morar, (44) from the Eastern Cape, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) graduated Cum Laude and obtained Dean’s Merit Award in his Advanced Diploma in Marine Engineering on Monday, 22 May 2023 at the Olive Convention Centre.
Morar believes that his journey at DUT came through God’s grace. Morar is currently employed at Transnet NPA in the Port of Ngqura, sailing as a Chief Marine Engineer Officer, Port Operations. He always wanted to study further in the Maritime Industry, but was restricted by work commitments, which prevented him from studying full-time at any university offering industry related diplomas or degrees.
The recommendation for an employee in his position would be to take a sabbatical leave or resign. This was disappointing, as his level of knowledge was only at the 2nd Engineers Officer level, and he was hoping to achieve his Chief Engineers Unlimited C.O.C. at some point in his career. When he saw that DUT was offering an Advanced Diploma in Marine Engineering, he became excited and decided to enquire about it immediately, assuming it would be part-time, only to hear that he would need to attend lectures and be a full-time student at the campus.
Then COVID-19 came, and DUT decided to offer the course online, and due to God`s grace, Mrs Arshnar Ramouthar who serves as the Maritime Faculty Administrator called him out of the blue informing him that he would have his chance and that he should register for the 2022 academic year for an Advanced Diploma in Marine Engineering.
Each one of them proved that they were worthy of this award in one way or the other, and he congratulated his fellow Marine Engineers for the struggle they endured during this course over such a difficult time across the globe.
Morar’s parents have both passed on but he is sure that they would be jumping for joy right now. His root of the Maritime Industry stretches back decades in his family, as his grandfather, Charles Kopps senior, was a mine sweeper during the Second World War in PE`s harbour, and his uncle’s Dennis Kopps, Clive Kopps and Dennis Golding sailed with Safmarine in the catering and deck department.
Maritime Engineering was not his first choice he intended to become a Mechanical Engineer when he started at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in 1996. Unfortunately, he had to drop out due to financial reasons and started looking for work. It was not easy finding stable employment and he had to settle for working on weekends at clothing retail stores like Edgarrs, Exact and using his hobby of collecting records to make money from functions, like weddings, and parties.
He then decided to apply to the Military/Navy for employment, receiving a successful response, and was expected to start as a cadet in the Navy on a 6-month contract in August 2001. About a week before he had to sign the contract for the Navy, Safmarine/Maersk advertised that they were taking on Engineering cadets into their programme with the intention of training them up to an officer of a Watch level.
He therefore applied and was accepted into the programme, whereby he concluded that the Navy would now be his second choice, and that he would now pursue a career in Marine/Mechanical Engineering industry.
He is currently completing his Mechanical Engineering Honours Degree this year with the intention of doing his Master’s degree in Marine Affairs, next year at NMU.
“Speaking on behalf of myself and for quite a few students, we all did the course via correspondence during lockdown restrictions, as it would have most probably been the only time some of us had the opportunity to achieve this accreditation and have the pleasure of being enrolled at DUT,” he said.
According to Morar, the challenges were enormous to begin with, and what made matters worse was when they decided to reopen the University full time, while some students were from all over South Africa and out on the sea, none of us could accommodate the decision to attend lectures or write the exams.
In addition, he added, another challenge was the long hours, the sweat and tears, but the satisfaction at the end of the day was priceless.
“I would like to thank God for giving me an opportunity to be part of the Maritime Sector and for opening the necessary doors during my 20 years in the Maritime Industry. I would like to personally thank everyone that I have worked with over the years and all the lecturers that believed in my ability to achieve all my goals in life. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for the endless sea stories, that motivated me to go to the sea. Love you all,” he said.
Pictured: Clint Raynor Morar
Nomvelo Zulu.
