Three exceptional students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) were recognised for their outstanding academic achievement after being awarded Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Scholarships.
The scholarships, presented at the University’s Scholarship Awards Ceremony on 2 September, recognise the three top-ranked undergraduate students progressing from second to subsequent years of study in the College.
The recipients – BSc in Computer Science and Information Technology students Mr Inga Thanduxolo Kunene and Ms Ashmika Ramsaran, and BSc (Statistics and Computer Science) student Mr Minentle Vikwa – each demonstrated exceptional academic excellence while maintaining a balanced university experience.
Kunene said choosing UKZN had been an easy decision because of the University’s reputation for academic excellence and the opportunities it offered students to develop personally and professionally.
“What I have enjoyed most about studying at UKZN is the incredible culture of support. From dedicated lecturers, tutors, supplemental instruction (SI) leaders and lab demonstrators to senior students who willingly share their knowledge and resources, there is a genuine sense that everyone wants to see you succeed,” he said.
Outside the classroom, Kunene serves as an SI Leader for Introduction to Computer Programming, volunteers as a sound engineer at his church and maintains a regular fitness routine. He previously competed as an active member of the UKZN Chess Club before stepping back to focus on his academic and leadership responsibilities.
His fascination with technology began in high school and developed into a passion for using computer science to solve real-world problems.
“My long-term goal is to return to academia to pursue a master’s degree and ultimately a PhD. I hope to combine industry experience with academic research and contribute to educating future computer scientists,” he said.
Receiving the scholarship, he added, was “an incredible honour and a deeply meaningful milestone” that recognised years of hard work while easing the financial burden on his family. He expressed heartfelt thanks to his parents, lecturers, tutors, mentors, classmates and friends for their unwavering encouragement throughout his academic journey.
For Ramsaran, UKZN’s academic reputation and proximity to home made it the ideal choice. She said she had enjoyed not only the academic challenges of her degree but also the vibrant campus environment.
“The coursework has strengthened my problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and I have enjoyed learning programming, working on practicals and collaborating with other students. Beyond academics, campus life has made my university experience enjoyable and memorable,” she said.
Away from her studies, Ramsaran pursues personal programming projects, continuously expands her technical knowledge through independent learning, and enjoys music, gaming and skateboarding. Family and friends, she said, had provided invaluable encouragement during demanding periods of the academic year.
Inspired by an introduction to programming in Grade 10, Ramsaran developed a passion for software development and hopes to begin her career in the software industry while pursuing an honours degree.
“This scholarship means the absolute world to me. Receiving this award is a reminder that the hard work, dedication and countless late nights have all been worthwhile. It motivates me to continue striving for excellence throughout my academic and professional journey,” she said.
She thanked her family, friends, the scholarship donors and everyone involved in making the award possible for believing in her potential and supporting her ambitions.
Vikwa chose UKZN because of its strong reputation in Statistics and Computer Science and the opportunity to study in an academically challenging environment.
“My experience at UKZN has been both rewarding and enriching. I have enjoyed learning from dedicated lecturers, collaborating with fellow students, and developing both my technical knowledge and problem-solving skills,” he said.
Outside his studies, Vikwa enjoys tutoring fellow students, helping them understand mathematical and programming concepts. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends and relaxing by playing video games.
His passion for analytical thinking led him to combine Statistics and Computer Science, with aspirations of becoming a quantitative analyst after completing his honours degree.
Words: Sally Frost
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini