“I truly feel it is a celebration of the culmination of all who contributed to every step of this journey, past and present-those who are still here with us, and those who are not,” explained a jubilant Dr Lyndon Naidoo.
He explained that he had come across people in and outside academia who have shaped him into who he is today. “Those who have believed in and supported me, all the while understanding my sacrifices to achieve a goal only truly appreciated at this pinnacle of a moment. This is not just my graduation, this is ours,” he added.
Lyndon Naidoo (29) who hails from Overport, graduated with his Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Autumn Graduation ceremony which took place at the Olive Convention Centre on Tuesday, 21 May 2024.
His PhD research focused on the development of electrochemical sensors for the detection of cancer-causing mycotoxins in foods.
Dr Naidoo spoke on his upbring say that growing up, his family struggled financially and he saw education as a route to better circumstances for himself and those around him in the long term.
“When I completed matric and wanted to pursue my studies further, I took the decision to apply for NSFAS funding. I was accepted and completed my National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry. Thereafter, I applied and got accepted for NRF funding and completed my BTech in Chemistry. It was at that point I realised my passion for research and decided to register for my Masters in Applied Sciences in Chemistry in 2019,” he said.
Dr Naidoo explained that during that period, he had formed part of the volunteering DUT Community Engagement group from the Department of Chemistry where they had travelled out to local schools in rural areas in the greater KwaZulu-Natal region and taught and conducted Physical Science practicals for the matriculants.
“For our efforts, we proudly received the DUT Chancellor’s Award, in Recognition of Innovative Excellence in the Category of Community Engagement in 2019. In terms of my academic performance, I graduated with my Master’s degree with Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit award and achieved the Master’s Student of the Year award for ‘Highest Number of Publications’ at the Faculty of Applied Sciences Awards. Everything culminated in me being recognised and winning the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans award for Science and Technology in 2021,” he replied euphorically.
Finally, in 2024 he had completed his degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry. In that period, he also travelled to Germany for a research visit where he underwent training for three weeks at the Postnova Analytics headquarters in Landsberg as part of his PhD work in 2021.
In addition, Dr Naidoo has published three research papers in leading high-impact factor international journals and presented at an international conference in 2023.
For Dr Naidoo, as a child, he was always fascinated with how and why things worked the way they do, drawing him to reading science books and wanting to have his own simple chemistry set.
“This curiosity continued as I got older, with me learning how broadly chemistry is applied in everyday life,” he said.
Dr Naidoo shared that he associates himself with accountability which highlights an understanding of the importance of one’s actions and the responsibility that comes with such decision-making.
“Consequently, these contributions in a positive setting can be recognised at all levels and act as a motivation to continue along such a path embodying the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework,” he commented.
In terms of my career path, he aims to contribute towards establishing food and health safety regulatory frameworks in South Africa through an ongoing SA-Germany collaboration through research outputs arising from his work.
Further, being involved in the science and technology field, which itself is a scarce skill sector, he aims to help establish further local and international partnerships and contribute to the country’s skills development.
“I believe that the importance of balance and rest can be understated in the life of a student. While it may be admirable to want to spend as much time on a task as possible, there comes a point where burnout can play a factor and inhibit you from working to the best of your ability. I just feel it’s better to put yourself and your mind in as best a condition as possible to perform a task, with total cognisance of the time and effort it would take in one’s own true capacity,” he said.
Also graduating with their Degrees of Doctor of Engineering in this session were: Dr Phathisanani Hloma and Dr Nhlanhla Hlongwa.
#DUTGrad24 #UnlockedExcellence #AdaptiveGraduates
Pictured: Dr Lyndon Naidoo
Photography: Mnqobi Ngobese
Waheeda Peters
