Making DUT extremely proud is the recently qualified sixth-year Homeopathy student, Phindile Simphiwe Gift Khumalo, who became the second student from the Department of Homeopathy in the DUT Faculty of Health Sciences to be awarded the prestigious Abe Bailey Travel bursary.
Last year (2014), the bursary was won by Euvette Taylor, a fifth-year Homoeopathy student at DUT.
She became the sixth DUT student in seven years to walk away with the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary which is awarded to outstanding students who has shown exceptional leadership qualities with strong service ethics. DUT hosted a celebratory tea for Khumalo in honour of her outstanding win.

“It was a huge surprise. To be honest, I was speechless I couldn’t believe it. I am very grateful to DUT and especially to my lecturers for their mentorship and belief in me. I am excited and looking forward to travelling abroad for the first time to learn more from the other recipients and network,” said the ecstatic Khumalo.

According to Dr Lavern Samuels, DUT Director of the International Education and Partnerships said, “This enriching life-transforming opportunity exposes candidates to a different kind of milieu whilst also affording them a chance to grow intellectually. We congratulate Khumalo on her success as an Abe Bailey winner as she now follow in the footsteps of previous winners such as the late Phillip Tobias and Richard Goldstone, to name but a few. It’s important to have role models such as her who have become a leader in her field and community and we hope she continues to further her academic studies at DUT. We also hope and encourage other DUT students to also apply for this bursary and continue the legacy of winning,” he said.
Also congratulating Dr Khumalo was Professor Lina Puckree, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. She said, “Only three people in the country receive this prestigious bursary per year. This is a great achievement for DUT and to our faculty and a great opportunity for her to meet others and network as she is now amongst those other greats to have won this,” she said.
Khumalo leaves for the UK on 2 December 2015.

– Waheeda Peters
Pictured: Phindile Simphiwe Gift Khumalo, the recipient the 2015 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary.