Student Diversity Takes Centre Stage at UKZN Spring Graduation

Student Diversity Takes Centre Stage at UKZN Spring Graduation

UKZN’s Spring Graduation honours and celebrates the achievements of 1 500 graduands, 21 of whom will graduate cum laude.

The ceremonies held on 18 and 19 September at the Westville Campus Sports Centre honours 793 undergraduates and 707 postgraduates, with 379 master’s and 197 PhD graduates.

Dr Mikyle David (26), the youngest PhD holder, who received a Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), is amongst those who were capped this graduation season.

Women constitute 61.8 % of all graduates, with 20 students living with disabilities, six of whom will receive postgraduate degrees. This highlights UKZN’s commitment to equality and diversity as a University known to be amongst one of the most transformed in the country.

The ceremonies kicked off with the College of Law and Management Studies which awarded 358 qualifications, followed by the College of Health Sciences with 208 qualifications, the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science with 350 and the College of Humanities with 584.

Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Ms Normah Zondo, expressed the University’s immense pride in the graduands’ accomplishments. ‘These graduation ceremonies are a remarkable occasion for our graduands to not only celebrate their hard-earned achievements but also to cherish this special moment with their loved ones. It is a time of reflection, joy, and a testament to their dedication and perseverance, which we are honoured to recognise and celebrate as an Institution.’

The Spring Graduation ceremonies are being live-streamed online via the University’s YouTube and Facebook official pages under the hashtag #UKZNGrad2024 and #UKZNSpringGrad24 during both the morning and afternoon sessions scheduled at 10h00 and 14h00, respectively.

Follow the University’s social media pages, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram for Graduation highlights and updates.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini