The Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, Marcelino Pillay recently graduated Cum Laude for the Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT): Applications Development at the DUT Celebratory Autumn Graduation ceremony held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Durban International Convention Centre.

Pillay began his academic Journey at DUT in 2017 where he registered for the National Diploma in ICT: Applications Development and completed in 2019. After obtaining his Diploma, he had to work in order to accumulate funds to further his studies.

Acquiring Cum Laude has always been something he dreamed of since he began his university journey, considering that he could not fulfil his dream with the first qualification, he then pursued the Advanced Diploma with a different mentality.

“I am really proud of what I have achieved and I owe it all to God, my family and friends, who always supported me in the times that I felt like giving up,” said Pillay.

His family was ecstatic upon learning the good news and celebrated with him.

Studying ICT was his first choice, since his childhood and he has always been so mesmerised about the innovation of games and grew passion of technology things. The constant peculiarity truly inspired his choice of study.

During the course of his studies, one of the major challenges he encountered was finding a balance between work and his studies, having to adapt to the new online learning system was also quite challenging but that didn’t deter him to accomplish his dream.

“I knew that I had my head set on with the goal of doing well this time round and that’s what I kept in mind, every time I felt like giving up,” added Pillay.

With the knowledge and skills he has acquired he aims to advance in the world of application development and wants to create software that the public can access easily on a daily basis, that would make their life easier.

Presently, he is working as a junior software developer in a company located in the Western Cape Province.

“I am currently gaining exposure in this field and I am really happy and thankful for how far I have come. I hope to inspire others and to make my family proud,” said Pillay.

Pictured: Marcelino Pillay

Nonkululeko Ngcobo