“It’s a great honour as a strike of academic excellence in my career. It reflects my utmost resilience, hard work and dedication towards my studies. It’s taken many sleepless nights, stressful academic pressures and giving up some of my social time but in the end it really was worth it. It is a proud moment but with that said it was also the support of God, my family, friends and lecturers that pushed me to strive for the best,” shared the triumphant Yashtheel Punwasi.

He shared that his interest and eagerness in the accounting and finance profession has driven these steps towards him becoming a certified internal auditor. The ceremony was held at the Olive Convention Centre (OCC) on Monday, 26 May 2025, at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUTs) 2025 Autumn Graduation ceremony, where he was conferred with his Diploma in Internal Auditing. Above all, the number-cruncher has achieved Cum Laude and was bestowed the prestigious Dean’s Merit award.

Punwasi, (21), who is from La Mercy, Durban, has expressed his passion for continuous learning and academic excellence and is excited about what the future holds for him in this vast profession.

Punwasi expressed that the DUT journey has been one of his fondest memories thus far as well as transformative. “From day one adjusting as an adaptive student as my first semester was online based teaching and learning to an on-campus experience was really a game changer. The Internal Auditing programme has really taken me out of my comfort zone by challenging me both academically and personally,” he said.

He explained that this has taught him to balance an academic and social lifestyle whilst meeting deadlines with personal responsibilities. Over the three years as a student, Punwasi shared that he has forged meaningful relationships with the DUT staff, their exceptional lecturers as well as lifelong peers.

Espousing the  DUT values and principles and associating with them has been key for Punwasi, adding that the DUT value that resonated the most for him was excellence. “Throughout this journey, I have aimed for not just a pass but rather to produce work that is of the expected standard as in the Internal Auditing profession which requires competency, transparency and integrity.

Punwasi  reflected back to his time of study, sharing that there were some hurdles he had faced as a student.

“A transition from my first ever semester at DUT during the adaptive learning approach to the on-campus experience is a definite game changer. The start of the 2022 academic year with the back and forth of student protests and disrupted learning had put me into perspective of the adaptability and the acceptance of change,” he added.

For Punwasi, completing his Diploma has taught him discipline, resilience and following the DUT graduate attributes has allowed him to successfully overcome these challenges.

When relating how family reacted to his outstanding news, he could not contain his excitement.

“This brings a smile to my family’s faces as well as tears of joy as it has been a proud moment for them. This collective achievement is owed to consistent encouragement, support and financial help that has really shaped my journey, and their sacrifices did not go unseen. I am at this stage because of them and continue to work hard making them proud,” he beamed.

Punwasi said with great conviction that Internal Auditing has been a step towards his academic goals. He always had a knack for business, and its impact on individuals as well as how it runs. The field has ignited the passion in him where competency, transparency and integrity should be upheld, and which really speaks to him as an individual.

In term so his future academic endeavours, Punwasi is currently pursuing his Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing. “I do wish to go down an academic career path. There are vast prospectives in the field which I would like to venture into and next in my academic career after completing my Advanced Diploma would be to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Auditing,” he shared.

Whilst exploring the different options in the field and wanting an academic career path, Punwasi has indicated that he would like to pursue his postgraduate studies as well as his master’s degree. “I have also been involved with becoming a certified internal auditor with the Institute of Internal Auditors (SA). In saying that I am grateful for where I am currently and enthusiastic about my journey ahead,” he highlighted.

For Punwasi, university life has taught him more than just academic content, it has helped shape his work ethic, communication, and adaptability.

His advice to a first year is that university life is really one of the most important and exciting paths that one may embark on.

“It is also important to strike a work and life balance at the very start. Maintain consistency and structure throughout your journey giving you the perfect academic experience. Don’t be afraid to speak out for help as academic pressure can consume you. DUT has exceptional staff that as always willing to assist. Also, relate the theoretical aspects learnt to real world applications,” he urged.

Pictured: Yashtheel Punwasi

Waheeda Peters