Two Durban University of Technology (DUT) students were recently named as finalists in the Top 100 finalists for the 2023 DHL GradStar Awards.
The sterling finalists are former DUT graduates, Shaeel Baliram and Singa Nxumalo. In its eighth year, the GradStar Programme, in hand with BlackBark Productions has done the most in pushing awards and recognition boundaries by producing South Africa’s best and brightest, most employable students within their one of a kind programme.
The sponsors of this prestigious awards are DHL, Epiroc, Absa, EOH, Gautrain, FutureFit Academy, Golden Key Honours Society, Trace Academia and the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Laura Barker-Founder of the GradStar Awards and CEO of BlackBark Productions observed: “Each year, we are amazed by the breadth and depth of talent within the tertiary education world and the commitment and dedication shown by our students. This year we were delighted to receive 5,516 complete entries from across the country, making the Top 100 of 2023 something really special.”
It was further mentioned by BlackBark Productions that the selection process for the top 100 students was rigorous, considering work readiness, extracurricular involvement, community service, and leadership qualities.
Also, stated by BlackBark Productions was that the chosen students from DUT have consistently exhibited an exceptional level of dedication and perseverance, making a positive impact for their future and communities.
One of the Durban University of Technology finalists, Singa Nxumalo, was beyond ecstatic to hear that he was a part of the cohort of students who placed Top 100 in the DHL GradStar Awards. He recently obtained his Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology at DUT.
“This wasn’t my first time in this competition as last year, (2022), I also entered and partook in it. Having made it in the Top 500 at the time however let me know that there was certainly a possibility of making it further in the competition. When I received the email stating I must receive my award in Johannesburg , I was in a group meeting and I had to place my excitement on hold for the time until the meetings conclusion. The shock set in a delayed manner as I couldn’t believe it,” he said ecstatically.
He further mentioned that there was a WhatsApp group for those who had also made it in the Top 100 and immediately congratulated them for also making it as the competition itself is quite an arduous one.
DUT alumnus Shaeel Baliram is also no stranger to this competition having been announced as a finalist for the second time in a row. He was a finalist in the 2022 DHL GradStar Awards Top 100 and now a finalist in the 2023 DHL GradStar Awards Top 100.
He obtained his Bachelor of Technology Degree in Electrical Engineering: Heavy Current, with Cum Laude and the prestigious Dean’s Merit award at DUT.
Baliram mentioned in his 2022 interview of how deeply honoured he was to be recognised by DHL GradStar Awards and their partnering companies as one of the Top 100 graduates in South Africa.
He further said that he aims to gain sufficient industry experience to ultimately register as a professional Engineering Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
The 2023 DHL GradStar Gala Dinner and awards ceremony will take place at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg on 6 December 2023.
The event will feature esteemed guests, employers, and industry trailblazers who will come together to commend these students for their sterling achievements. This will all take place after a morning of workshops where all students had the opportunity to impress the Sponsor Employers and judges. This is also where the top 10 will be decided and announced.
Pictured: Shaeel Baliram and Singa Nxumalo.
Waheeda Peters/BlackBark Productions
