“It is a great honour and achievement to have graduated Cum Laude and with the Dean’s Merit award. I am deeply grateful and proud to have reached this milestone and forever thankful to my loved ones and friends for all their support and encouragement throughout my journey,” said an euphoric  20-year-old, Bastika Prem.

Prem, who hails from Newlands West, graduated with her Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Applications Development, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Autumn Graduation ceremony, which was held at the Olive Convention Centre on Thursday, 23 May 2024.

Prem’s exciting chapter at DUT commenced in 2021 when she was accepted to study for his Diploma in ICT in Applications Development. She is currently doing his Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology.

Part of Prem’s qualification entailed a significant amount of group work which were challenging at times due to the differing opinions and internal conflicts that would arise.

“However, over time we gradually learnt how to effectively communicate and work together to overcome such differences which enabled us to achieve great results as a team,” she quipped.

For Prem, IT was a natural decision, stemming from her early exposure to computer classes during his school years. “Those initial experiences had ignited a passion and curiosity within me to delve deeper into the world of technology,” she confessed.

Prem relayed that in high school, she had the opportunity to take IT classes and explore coding, which had found immensely enjoyable and rewarding.

“The logical thinking and problem-solving skills required in coding resonated with me, further solidifying my interest in pursuing a career in IT,” she explained.

Prem indicated that the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the field also appealed to her desire for continuous learning and growth.

“Ultimately, my journey from school to high school to choosing IT as my field of study had been guided by a genuine fascination with technology and a desire to make a meaningful impact in this rapidly advancing field,” she shared.

Looking further into the same field of study, Prem has no doubt that he aimed was eager to deepen her knowledge and skills to stay abreast of the latest technological advancements.

“I aim to become a developer and eventually lead a team in the field of IT. I’m passionate about creating innovative solutions and enjoy the problem-solving aspect of development work. Leading a team is an opportunity for me to mentor and guide others, while also contributing to larger-scale projects and driving organisational success. My goal is to continually grow and develop my skills while making a positive impact in the technology industry,” she said.

Keeping on an academic path requires dedication which Prem had reiterated that those students who aspired to pursue this career path, need to embrace the  challenges that lay ahead with determination.

“Be perseverant, patient and keep practicing, even when you are faced with difficulties, staying committed to these principles will ultimately lead you to success. Trust in the process and know that the rewards at the end are worth every effort,” she replied.

Pictured: Bastika Prem

Waheeda Peters