2021 Stories
Nigerian Lecturer Chooses UKZN for PhD Physics Studies
‘UKZN has always been among the top five universities in Africa with top-notch faculty members,
Graduate Plans to Make Life ‘Easy’ for Fellow Researchers
Mr Johannes Mphaka is a hardworking young man who aspires to greatness. After completing his
MSc Graduate’s Novel Battery Development Assists Search for Alternate Energy Sources
Mr Ndumiso Memela enjoys soccer as it keeps him grounded, motivated and gives him a
Nanotechnology Enhances Efficacy of Indigenous Plant Species – MSc Research Finding
Mimusops, an indigenous plant species found along Durban’s coastline, was the subject of MSc research
Power Transformer Failures Researched in Doctoral Study
Understanding mechanisms involved in dysfunctional power transformers using computational and theoretical techniques was the focus
Research Throws Light on Hospital Operating Theatres
Ms Lindiwe Ngwane was attracted to biomedical physics as it offered her an opportunity to
Hard Times Turn into Good Times Through Study at UKZN
PhD Chemistry graduate Siyabonga Ndlela helped his grandmother sell fruit and snacks to commuters at
Passion to Strengthen Child Survival Strategies Leads to PhD
As a young girl, Dr Magda Botha dreamed about getting a PhD. Then later in
PhD Focuses on Breeding Groundnut for Rust Resistance in Tanzania
Groundnut is a vital crop for commercial and smallholder farmers in Africa because of its
Fighting Dread Diseases Inspires this Health and Wellbeing Warrior
MSc Biochemistry summa cum laude graduate, Mr Keelan Jagaran is passionate about science and it shows in
Graduate Makes her Family Proud
The first in her family to complete a postgraduate degree, Ms Farzana Mohamed has graduated
Research Results May Lead to Alternative to Conventional Medical Therapy
Ms Seetha Govender hopes to commercialise a formulation created during research work she did for
2020 Stories
Ethiopian Doctoral Graduate Described as a “Success Story”
Dr Zelalem Getahun Dessie, who was awarded a PhD degree in Statistics during the UKZN
Analysis of Air Pollution and its Link to Birth Outcomes Earns Biostatistician his PhD BY: .
Dr Aweke Abebaw Mitku has been awarded a PhD in Statistics from UKZN’s School of
Quiet Determination a Hallmark of Humble Achiever
Don’t allow your struggle with research prevent you from appreciating the gift of education –
A Doctor and Mum in One!
It is not often a woman becomes a doctor and a new mum at around
Tough Academic Journey Culminates in PhD Success for International Student
Dr Daniel Kubelwa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has fulfilled his dream
MSc Research Helps eThekwini Set Renewable Electricity Tariffs
Findings from research conducted by a masters graduate have been successfully adopted by eThekwini Municipality
From Humble Beginnings to Qualified Aquaponics Expert
‘In my home, school and community no-one has ever graduated with a BSc let alone
Doctor of Science Award Culmination of 50 Years of Distinguished Academic Achievement
Civil Engineer and Senior Research Associate in UKZN’s School of Engineering, Emeritus Professor Geoffrey G
“Hope of the Family” Graduates with MSc
Mr Njabulo Mbanjwa carried the excellent results he achieved during his school years into his
MSc Graduate Designs Commercially Viable Version of Pulse Plethysmography Device
Ms Cindy Mphara graduated with an MSc in Physics cum laude for her design of a fully
Early Interest in Radio Astronomy Leads to Master’s Degree
‘Studying towards my master’s degree was a fun journey blended with hard work, sacrifice and
Karate Expert Graduates Cum Laude
Second dan black belt karate exponent, Ms Shriya Misra graduated cum laude with a Master of Science
2019 Stories
Applied Mathematician Aces MSc Degree
Ms Kathleen Sellick received her MSc summa cum laude for her research on the strong gravity effects
MSc Study Harnesses Statistics to Understand Child Mortality
MSc graduate, Mr Mbuyiseni Kubheka employed statistical models to investigate the factors that contributed to
Recognition of Human Hand Gestures Explored in Virtual Reality World
Students are often told to stop playing games and focus on their studies, but master’s
MSc Focuses on Genetics of Southern African Jackal Buzzard
For Ms Sophia Bam, the importance of education has always been the key to her
MSc Highlights the Role of Ants in Reforested Landfill
Mr Sbongiseni Xolo was awarded a Master’s in Entomology for his investigation of biodiversity recovery in a
From Humble Beginnings to Formidable Geneticist
Ms Bongekile Ngobese, who was awarded her Master of Science in Genetics cum laude, grew up
Go-Getter Receives her MSc
Ms Nomfundo Praise Ntombela graduated with an MSc in Biochemistry after developing assays to identify
“Poster Boy for Good Results” Graduates with Flying Colours
‘Lindokuhle Ntombela is a poster boy for good results,’ said his supervisor, Professor Naven Chetty.
Antibacterial Resistance Under the Spotlight
Dr Lamla Thungatha was awarded a PhD in Chemistry for his study on Synthesis, Characterisation
Adversity Spurs Graduate to Obtain her PhD in Physics
Dr Tamara Govindasamy describes graduation as, ‘a ceremony of recognition for those who have set
PhD Investigates the Science of Suntan Lotion
Dr Buhari Magaji graduated with a PhD in Chemistry for his study on the science
Desire to Assist the Disadvantaged Leads to MSc in Sanitation
Ms Dayna Hamilton was delighted to graduate with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Hamilton
2018 Stories
Dr Kannigadu Aims to Smash Patriarchy Through Education
Having completed her Master’s degree in Chemistry at UKZN in 2015, Dr Christina Kannigadu felt
From Herding Cattle to Improving Quality of Data Analysis
Mr Lethani Ndwandwe has graduated with his Master’s in Statistics for his work on missing data imputation
MSc in Plant Breeding for Nundwe
Mr McDonald Nundwe has graduated with his Master’s in Plant Breeding which involved characterising sweet
Searching for Mathematical Insight into Higher Dimensions
Mr Simphiwe Mathenjwa graduated with his Master’s in Applied Mathematics from the School of Mathematics, Statistics
Securing Global Energy Security Through Innovative Research
Dr Precious Mangena has graduated with her PhD in Plant Breeding for her work in
Cum Laude for Statistics Master’s Graduate
Mr Mohanad Mohammed from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (SMSCS) has graduated with his
PhD Tackles Natural Resource Conservation for Sustainable Water Supply
Dr Catherine Hughes graduated with her PhD in Hydrology after using validated hydrological modelling to
Success Despite All Odds
Enthusiasm and hard work paid off for Chemical Engineering student, Ms Pachia Marimuthu, who graduated
Solving Traffic Congestion Problems Caused by Rainfall
Dr Stephen Olukayode Ibijola is ecstatic to graduate from UKZN with a PhD that looked
PhD in Chemical Engineering for Dr Atsile Ocwelwang
Using education as a key to transforming the circumstances of her life is what motivated
Graduate Learns PhD Journey Not One-Size-Fits-All
Studying towards a Doctorate is a demanding and challenging task and every doctoral student and
PhD Sets Graduate on Course to Solving Water Pollution Problems
Dr Kayode Olowe graduated with a PhD in Civil Engineering for his research in solute