Six Durban University of Technology students were recently named as finalists in the Top 100 finalists for the 2022 DHL GradStar Awards.
They are Nevesan Naidoo, Jenalee Govender, Nikita Singh, Siphindile Radebe, Shaeel Baliram and Zaba Mthembu.
Now in its 7th year the GradStar Awards recognises the most employable full-time students in the country and are the only programme of its kind where thousands of students enter in order to be recognised by top employers in the land.
Promoted by sponsor DHL, and also supported by employers Epiroc, Fasken, Absa, FutureFit Academy, and Golden Key Honours Society, the awards are taken seriously by employers. Over the past two years, students have recognised their need to be noticed by employers in order to secure employment for the future.
Naidoo, a third year Electronic Engineering student, said being amongst the top 100 students and one of six from DUT was an honour in and of itself.
“It felt surreal to hear my name called during the announcement webinar. Being in the top 100 has inspired me to put more effort into achieving my upcoming objectives. Through networking, this win will help me draw the attention of potential employers. Mentorship is one of the many perks of being a part of the GradStar programme, as well as one of the programme’s outstanding services,” he said.
Naidoo also works part-time at DUT as a tutor, tutoring in data analytics and computation, and is also a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
For alumnus Baliram, upon hearing the news that he was a finalist in the DHL GradStar Awards Top 100, he was over the moon with joy and excitement.
He recently obtained his Bachelor of Technology Degree in Electrical Engineering: Heavy Current, with Cum Laude and the prestigious Dean’s Merit award at DUT.
“I have always envisioned myself as a GradStar Top 100 and at the beginning of the competition I had made it my goal to accomplish. Having that goal come to fruition has been a tremendously rewarding and fulfilling experience. I am extremely proud of this achievement and I am deeply honoured to be recognised by DHL GradStar Awards and their partnering companies as one of the Top 100 graduates in South Africa,” he elatedly commented.
Currently, Baliram is employed as a graduate-in-training at a leading manufacturing company in the automotive industry. His future plans are to be taken on as a junior electrical engineer and to gain sufficient industry experience to ultimately register as a professional Engineering Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). He also aims to work his way up in the organisation to more senior positions and to be able to lead and manage significant engineering projects.
“I was deeply humbled, grateful and proud to have achieved another prestigious accolade in my career. My name displayed on the screen motivated me even more to fly to greater heights, and also reminded me that anything that you put your mind to, can be achieved,” said a euphoric Nikita Singh.
Singh, who is currently completing her Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (MEng), indicated that being recognised as a Top100 graduate of South Africa does not only motivate her, but it allows her to dream bigger than ever before.
“Being a Top100 graduate sets me apart from the rest in the eyes of all employers out there. It demonstrates my talent and readiness for the working world which big companies seek for. I believe this will open many doors and attract big opportunities from my dream companies such as Unilever, Tiger Brands, Sasol, Accenture, refineries and many more, since chemical engineering is such a versatile field of study,” she relayed.
Singh believes studying never stops. Therefore, she aims to obtain her PhD before the age of 30, and await the opportunities that come attached.
“I believe that your dreams are not big enough, if they do not scare you,” she said.
Laura Barker – founder of the GradStar Awards and CEO of BlackBark Productions commented: “During this time of COVID, employers need to stay relevant and visible to the workforce of the future, and through the GradStar Programme we have found a way to bridge the gap between the university and the world of work. We are happy to be back to a live event and wish all of the Top 100 all the best for the remainder of the competition.”
The Top 100 Finalists will participate in a full day of workshops with the sponsor employers on 1st of December, after which a “10 of the Finest” will be selected by the sponsors and announced at a live Gala dinner on the evening of the 1st of December, 2022.
Pictured: Nevesan Naidoo, Shaeel Baliram and Nikita Singh.
Nina Paulsen/Waheeda Peters
