The International Education and Partnerships unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a Celebratory Tea for a Master’s in Homeopathy student, Siphesihle Mchunu, who was announced as the DUT Abe Bailey Travel Bursary winner for 2024. This celebration was held in the Council Chambers on the ML Sultan campus in Durban on Tuesday, 27 August 2024.
The Abe Bailey Travel Bursary is awarded to outstanding students who have shown exceptional leadership qualities and strong service ethics. The winner of the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary 2024, Mchunu, has an excellent academic record and was awarded Cum Laude in his Bachelor’s Degree and is currently studying towards the Master’s Degree in Health Sciences: Homeopathy.
His leadership skills were evident in school where he was a head boy/prefect. He represents the DUT student body at the Homeopathic Association of South Africa (HSA) He is chairperson of environmental projects and a representative of the student housing committee. He is also a tutor and mentor in mathematics and science at Shea O’ Connor Combined School. The dynamic lad will be leaving for England in December 2024 for his leadership experience.
Besides focusing on his sterling academic studies, Mchunu finds time for his passion for community service and his leadership roles are intertwined with his community engagement. He is involved in a number of community engagement projects and regularly volunteers at the Khula Natural Health Centre and works with the leadership of the centre in serving the community.
In attendance was the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences: Professor Gugu Mchunu, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences: Dr Pavitra Pillay, the Director of International Education and Partnerships (IEP): Dr Lavern Samuels , the Head of Department of Homeopathy: Professor Ashley Ross, Homeopathy Lecturers, the 2023 winner Dr Marizel van Rensburg, 2022 winner Dr Keiron-Ashleigh Boosi, Neetasha Singh Bugwandin, former Abe Bailey Travel Bursary winner as well as members of Mchunu’s family.
Dr Samuels welcomed everyone in attendance to celebrate Mchunu for being the winner of the prestigious Abe Bailey Travel Bursary. “It is special when one of our students achieves something as prestigious as winning the Abe Bailey Award. It’s a special day because we celebrate the 14th recipient of the Abe Bailey Award at DUT,” he said.
Dr Samuels also spoke on the selection process and the role DUT has played in the Abe Bailey Bursary Award.
“We are an engaged university in our local context here but also in the global context where we send our students, and we also shape adaptive graduates that can go out in the world and make a difference,” said Dr Samuels.
Prof Mchunu thanked Dr Samuels for hosting the Celebratory Tea to celebrate this wonderful moment. She further applauded Prof Ross for producing students that are an example of excellence for the faculty.
Prof Ross explained that one of the reasons that the Faculty of Health Sciences produces a number of winners for the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary is the nurturing environment that the department creates. “I have been fortunate to protect and guide some exceptional human beings and everyone of our Abe Bailey winners reserve a special place in my heart and it’s been my honour to be able to share my wisdom and with them,” he added.
Former 2023 Abe Bailey winner, Marizel van Rensburg, shared her personal experience as a bursary holder, offering valuable insights into the impact of the programme on her academic and professional journey. Van Rensburg emphasised that her experience as a former Abe Bailey winner helped her develop essential skills, including critical thinking, constructive debate, problem-solving and open-mindedness. She also learned valuable life lesson, such as the importance of trust and dedication.
“As I reflect on my own journey as an Abe Bailey winner, I am reminded of the incredible impact it had on my life. It opened my eyes to new possibilities and perspectives, and I hope that the new winner will have a similarly transformative experience. My advice to him would be to explore and learn as much as he can, and to stay focused on his goals. I wish him all the best as he embarks on the amazing opportunity,” said Van Rensburg.
Mduduzi Khanyile, the proud father of the Abe Bailey winner, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to DUT for inviting them to the prestigious function celebrating his son’s remarkable achievement. He thanked the institution for recognising and honouring his son’s hard work and accomplishment as an Abe Bailey winner.
Mchunu, the proud recipient of the 2024 Abe Bailey bursary, expressed his deep found gratitude to his lecturers, who played a vital role in his achievement. He particularly acknowledged Prof Ross, who he considers a second father for his tireless support and mentorship at the prestigious institution.
Mchunu divulged that Prof Ross recognised his potential and encouraged him to apply for the Abe Bailey bursary, which he was previously unaware of.
“DUT has structured me and moulded me in a way that I wanted to make my parents be proud of me,” he expressed proudly.
Mchunu also thanked Carol Newman for her assistance in ensuring his application was of high quality. He also shared that he drew inspiration from the previous winner, Marizel van Rensburg.
Mchunu reiterated that his success was a testament to the impact of dedicated educators and mentors at DUT.
Pictured: Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Pavitra Pillay, Head of Department of Homeopathy: Professor Ashley Ross, Winner of the Abe Bailey Bursary, Siphesihle Mchunu, Director of International Education and Partnerships (IEP): Dr Lavern Samuel and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences: Professor Gugu Mchunu.
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya/Waheeda Peters
