Zac Yacoob Scholarship Recipient Shoots for the Stars!

Zac Yacoob Scholarship Recipient Shoots for the Stars!

Ms Saarisha Govender, a young academic powerhouse, has recently been awarded the prestigious Zac Yacoob Scholarship to complete her Bachelor of Science final-year studies. 

The scholarship is named after Judge Zakeria (Zac) Yacoob, a former Constitutional Court judge of distinction and the last Chancellor of the former University of Durban-Westville, and goes to the single best honours’ student in the University. 

From an early age, Govender has consistently excelled in her academics. Her remarkable track record, which includes over 50 academic awards and two Dux awards during her primary and high school years, is a testament to her intellectual capability and determination. This foundation of excellence propelled her to enrol for a Bachelor of Science degree at UKZN, specialising in the Mathematics stream with majors in Physics and Astronomy. 

Govender’s academic journey at UKZN has been nothing short of extraordinary. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in 2023, earning the prestigious summa cum laude honour. 

Eager to push the boundaries of knowledge, Govender chose to pursue an honours degree with her research delving into the cutting-edge field of quantum kernel methods, aiming to classify astronomical data. This innovative approach places her at the forefront of a rapidly evolving discipline that has the potential to revolutionise how we understand the universe. 

The Zac Yacoob Scholarship has been instrumental in Govender’s academic journey, providing her with the financial support necessary to focus entirely on her education. The young scholar, who is held in high regard by her lecturers and peers, said: ‘I am immensely grateful for this scholarship. It has given me the freedom to concentrate on my studies without the burden of financial stress.’ 

Her proud parents, Mr Selvan and Mrs Verni Govender said: ‘She has always been consistent and hardworking, and is dedicated and resilient when it comes to her goals. She has always been a high achiever and never fails to fill us with pride with her accomplishments. We wish to congratulate her on her exemplary achievements. We believe that she is destined to achieve all her goals for the future and will leave a lasting impact in her career field. We would like to thank UKZN for their positive impact and her lecturers for their support throughout her degree.’ 

Govender’s supervisor, Professor Ilya Sinayskiy, described her as a dedicated student with an innate passion for science. ‘It is very important to reward high-flying students and support them in all ways possible during their academic journey.’ 

Govender has set her sights on furthering her studies, with plans to eventually obtain a PhD in Physics. With her commitment and exceptional talent, she is poised to make significant contributions to the field of science. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young scholars everywhere, demonstrating that with hard work, passion, and the right support, success is attainable. 

Words: Siphesihle Shezi

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini