Growing up, working in a family hardware business was not enough for Muhammad Amod. The 26-year-old from Ingogo, Northern KwaZulu-Natal has always dreamt of obtaining a tertiary education.

He was among the last group of graduates from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment who graduated at the DUT Celebratory Autumn Graduation ceremony this morning, 12 July 2022.

He graduated Cum Laude for his Degree of Bachelor of Technology in Quantity Surveying. Amod revealed that obtaining great results has been a norm for him since high school.

“Circumstances forced me to join the family hardware business but obtaining a tertiary education was always my dream. My journey at DUT began in 2017. I had enrolled for a National Diploma in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying as this course tied-up with my experience in the hardware store. Working in the hardware store forced me to measure and quantify building material for customers and I became good at it and so I decided why not improve in this regard,” said Amod.

He said this journey has been a tough one for him as it took a lot of commitment and dedication to push through while juggling between studies, business and family time. Amod added that there were a lot of obstacles along the way but he persevered and made it through.

“Studying and graduating with a Cum Laude after four years is in itself a huge achievement and came as a wonderful surprise. Being one of the top achievers truly encompasses the phrase ‘hard work pays off’ and that with dedication and perseverance comes success,” said Amod.

He feels privileged to have a family who has known the value of education and always encouraged him to strive harder and be his best.

Pictured: Muhammad Amod.

Picture credit: Sandile Nkosi.

Simangele Zuma