Emihle Flatela (23) from the Eastern Cape in a small town called Flagstaff graduated Cum Laude and with Dean’s Merit for her Diploma in Analytical Chemistry at the Durban University of Technology Autumn Graduation which took place in the Olive Convention Centre on Tuesday, 21 May 2024.

Her academic journey at DUT began in 2021 when she had enrolled for the Diploma. “I would describe my journey as an amazing one with challenges here and there. In the years I spent at DUT I got to meet great people and I learnt a lot not only from an academic point of view but from my overall varsity experience,” said Flatela.

The young damsel shared that graduating Cum Laude and with Dean’s Merit award meant a lot to her because it was proof  that all the dedication and hard work she had put in her studies eventually paid off.

“Not only did I make myself proud but I also made my family proud and that for me  is a big win because they were my greatest support system,” added the young academic.

The DUT value that she associate with is respect because of the cultural diversity she found at the university. She found respect to be significant as it allowed her to learn and coexist with these cultures.

Flatela indicated that she will be further her studies in the future since her interests are in scientific research.

Her advice to students embarking in the same academic journey on the importance of setting goals and ensuring the achievement of those goals.

Pictured: Emihle Flatela

Patience Makhaye