2021 Stories
African Elephant Management in Research Spotlight
Having done her masters at UKZN – supervised by Professor Rob Slotow – on the
Tea Research Assists in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Tea was the subject of research by Chinese national Dr Xin Xiao who graduated with
It Takes a Village to Raise a Child!
The African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child” is apt in the
Sewage to Help Alleviate Poverty?
Discovering how to use nutrients processed from human excreta effectively for the hydroponic production of
Rural Upbringing Triggers Interest in Food Security Studies
Doctoral graduate, Dr Nthabeleng Tamako grew up in the Mount Fletcher area of the Eastern
Graduate Passionate about Market Access for Small Farmers
Master of Agriculture in Food Security graduate, Mr Phiwokuhle Ndlovu had a desire to improve
Warrior for Infant and Child Nutrition Aims to Influence Policy
Nutritionist and University of Venda lecturer Dr Tshifhiwa Mandiwana is passionate about maternal and child
Pigeonpea Focus of Doctoral Research by Mother of Three
The improvement of a lesser-known legume that could be a major contributor to continental food
Mutation Breeding Increases Climate Change Resilience in Wheat
For her PhD research into Plant Breeding, Dr Boluwatife OlaOlorun, who arrived at UKZN from
UKZN Autumn Grad by Numbers
Of the 10 313 graduands being awarded degrees and diplomas during the 2021 UKZN Autumn virtual
UKZN Graduates its First SA Black Female Agrometeorologist
Dr Zoleka Ncoyini-Manciya is the first South African Black female to be awarded a PhD
Fall Armyworm Resistant Maize Closer to Reality Following Research
‘There is hope for Africa,’ said newly capped Dr Chapwa Kasoma about her ground-breaking work
2020 Stories
Green Energy Advocate Masters Physics Course
After having completed his honours degree at UKZN and being impressed by the world-class research
Master Baker is Now a Master Chemist Too!
Independent Media Home Chef Supreme Cookie Competition winner, Ms Pamela Joseph is now a master
PhD Graduate is Worth her Salt!
Dr Onajite Theresa Diejomaoh Abafe was awarded a PhD in Chemistry for research in the
Master’s Graduate Focuses on Accent Recognition Using Deep Learning
Ms Yuvika Singh has graduated with a cum laude MSc degree in Computer Science, specialising
High Achiever Aims for Career as Data Scientist
Mr Leenane Makurumure graduated with a BSc in Computer Science and Information Technology (IT) summa
Doctoral Graduate Attracted to UKZN by its Excellent Engineering Programme
UKZN’s highly rated Engineering programme attracted Dr Inbanathan Govender to study at the Institution and
Heightening Awareness about Diabetes at the Core of MSc Research
Research aimed at raising awareness about diabetes so that more testing can be done and
MSc Research into Statistical Model for Crude Oil Market
Crude oil, the price of which is currently at an all-time low, was the focus
Green Chemistry PhD Focuses on New Sustainable Protocols
Dr Sandeep VHS Bhaskaruni earned his PhD in Chemistry for his design of new eco-friendly
PhD for Hard Working Lecturer and Doting Mom!
Lecturer in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Dr Hloniphile Sithole-Mthethwa graduated with
PhD Graduate Investigates Chemical Compounds with Antibacterial Promise
Drug molecules which could contribute to combatting drug-resistant bacteria in an era of increasing antibiotic
Quantum Computing Master’s Graduate Reaching New Heights in a “New World”!
Qualified actuarial scientist, Ms Amira Mahomed Abbas graduated cum laude with an MSc in Physics,
2019 Stories
Mopani Worms Subject of MSc Research
Mrs Adelaide Kumirai nee Mhlanga received her MSc degree in Agricultural Engineering at UKZN’s Spring Graduation ceremony
Engineering Masters Fine Tunes Power Line Robots
‘Focus on the steps that you take on your journey, rather than what looms ahead,’
Aspirant Academic Graduates with MSc in Electronic Engineering
Senior Academic Development Officer in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Mr Rogerant Tshibangu
PhD Study Tackles Sanitation Issues
Dr Surabhi Srivastava’s study on the management of scum in wastewater pump stations in the
Adversity Builds Determination – MSc Graduate
‘An expert in anything was once a beginner.’ These words by American actress Helen Hayes
Dream Comes True for Cum Laude Honours Degree Graduate
Ms Nomzamo Msomi always wanted to be a student and earn a degree from UKZN,
Skincare and Beauty Researched for Doctoral Thesis
Dr Vuyisile Thibane graduated with a PhD in Ethnobotany after conducting an ethnopharmacological study on
Snakes are Hissss Passion
Mr Warren Schmidt, author of Reptiles & Amphibians of Southern Africa, has enjoyed a lifelong interest
Mammals in Durban Forests Subject of PhD
Investigating the presence and persistence of mammals in urban forest fragments in the eThekwini Municipality
Fern Study Harvests Cum Laude Degree
Mr Kwanele Mkhize’s friends and colleagues describe him as an ambitious, goal-driven person – qualities
Chemistry Honours Cum Laude Graduate Hoping for Career in Pharmaceutical Research
‘Hard work is always rewarded and doesn’t go unnoticed,’ says cum laude Chemistry Honours graduate, Mr Shabaaz
Antidiabetic and Toxicological Properties of Medicinal Plants Focus of Biochemist’s PhD
Dr Ochuko Erukainure has earned a PhD in Biochemistry for research conducted on the antidiabetic
2018 Stories
Uganda’s First Potato Breeder Tackles Devastating Crop Disease
Dr Prossy Namugga has graduated with her PhD in Plant Breeding through the African Centre for
Master’s Graduate Offers Food for Thought Through Research
With two graduations in the bag, Cameroonian beauty queen, Ms Joan Akob, has no plans
Ensuring Earth’s Sustainability Through Research
Mr Abdul Aziz Yakubu has always been aware of the effects of climate change
Breaking Down Bacteria with Master’s Graduate
Ms Carrie Jacobs began her academic career in the Medical Sciences where she obtained her
Perseverance Key to Success
Mr Wesley Evans was ecstatic to graduate with his Master’s degree. Growing up, he always dreamt
Saving the World Through Entomology
Malaria is a disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes; the highest impact of the disease is seen in
Preventing Swine Farming Economic Loss Through Microbiology
Dr Yuzi Wu is one of six students who have graduated from UKZN’s College of Agriculture,
Six JAAS UKZN Co-Supervised Students Graduate
Six Chinese students graduated with their PhDs from UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES). Their
Former Statistician-General of South Africa Receives Honorary Degree
South Africa’s former and longest-serving Statistician-General, Dr Pali Lehohla, was awarded an honorary Doctor of
Distinguished Teacher Uses Web 2.0 Technologies to Enhance Teaching
Professor Guegium Kana has been awarded a Distinguished Teachers’ Award for 2017 in recognition of
Distinguished Teacher Brings Out the Best in His Students
Professor Naven Chetty, Acting Dean for Teaching and Learning in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and
Master of All Trades
Award-winning filmmaker Dr Preshanthan Moodley obtained his PhD in the field of Science at the