Achieving Cum Laude and the esteemed Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence  in his course of study is a dream come true for Vikesh Singh.

Singh, (52) is the Assistant Registrar: Student Administration who works fervently with all things relating to planning, or coordinating student administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

“I was over the moon when I found out I would be graduating Cum Laude and receiving the Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence. This recognition feels especially meaningful because I missed out on Cum Laude for my bachelor’s degree in technology. I’m incredibly grateful to the Almighty for giving me the strength, knowledge, and courage to achieve this,” he professed euphorically.

The calm and collected Singh graduated with his Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences: Business Administration at the DUT 2024 Spring Graduation, held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Thursday, 19 September 2024.

Singh stated that it had been a journey of hard work and perseverance, and that he was proud that he had passed all six modules in the Postgraduate Diploma programme with distinction.

“What makes this moment even more special is that my son is currently in his second year of studying Information Technology at DUT. I hope that my achievements inspire him to continue with his studies and to strive for excellence in everything he does,” he relayed.

Singh nostalgically delved into his voyage he embarked on at DUT which started long before he had achieved this qualification. “It began in 1992 at the former ML Sultan Technikon, where I pursued a National Diploma in Commercial Practice, which I completed in 1994,” he said. During his studies, Singh worked part-time in the Student Admissions Department, helping students with applications and registration. That experience sparked his passion for academic administration.

“After completing my diploma, I became a Financial Aid Assistant and later transitioned to various roles within Student Admissions. The merger that created DUT opened new doors for me, and I was appointed as a Faculty Officer in the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2003, a role I held until 2017,” he explained.

At 37 years of age, 15 years after completing his first qualification, Singh felt it was time to pursue further studies. He enrolled for the Bachelor of Technology in Business Administration, which he had completed in 2011.

“Unfortunately, during my final year, I lost both my parents in a tragic accident. It was a heartbreaking time, but I knew I had to continue and make them proud. I passed most of my modules with distinction, but due to receiving exemptions, I wasn’t awarded Cum Laude,” explained.

In 2015, he had earned a certificate in Project Management, which he passed with distinction. “Fast forward to 2023, at the age of 51, I once again decided it was time to advance my studies. I enrolled for the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences: Business Administration, which I successfully completed in July 2024,” he added.

His journey at DUT has been a blend of professional growth, academic achievements, and personal resilience. Singh explained that returning to the academic environment after 12 years was challenging, especially adjusting to new teaching methods and technologies. The Postgraduate Diploma programme was fully online, and that required him to quickly adapt to virtual learning.

“Balancing work, personal life, and studies was also a significant challenge for Singh. My role as Assistant Registrar is demanding, often requiring additional hours, and balancing that with online lectures in the evenings and on Saturdays left little time for my personal life,” he confessed.

Singh confided that the programme was intense, with a heavy workload compressed into a short timeframe. “This often-meant long nights spent working on assignments and preparing for exams, followed by busy workdays with minimal rest,” he sighed.

Singh relayed that there was a point early on when he felt overwhelmed and considered quitting. “I remember confiding in one of my lecturers, Prof Ivan Govender, and after a long conversation, he convinced me to keep going. I’m forever grateful to him for his encouragement-it gave me the strength to push through,” he said.

Singh further said that his family played a pivotal role in his academic prowess.

“My wife, Nirvana, and my son, Yashay, were absolutely overjoyed and incredibly proud when they heard the news. Nirvana had so much faith in me throughout this journey that she even placed a bet during my studies that I would pass Cum Laude! It looks like I will have to pay up now,” he chuckled.

But in all seriousness, Singh would not have been able to achieve this without the unwavering support, dedication, and encouragement from his wife. She had been his rock throughout this entire journey. “She made sacrifices without hesitation, always reminding me of the bigger picture, and for that, I am forever grateful,” added Singh.

For Singh, honesty is the value he resonates with the most. For him, honesty is about being true to himself and others, it’s the foundation of trust, which is key in both his personal and professional life.

“In my role as an academic administrator, honesty helps me build genuine relationships with colleagues and students. It means being open, fair, and clear in everything I do. When I’m honest, it naturally leads to transparency, and people appreciate knowing they can trust what I say and do. It also guides me to act with integrity and to treat others with respect because I’m committed to doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option,” stressed Singh.

For Singh, the road of studying continues as he intends to register in 2025 for a master’s degree in business administration.

His advice to a first-year student who wants to embark on the same career path as him is to work hard and be dedicated.  “It’s important to maintain a balance with a healthy social and personal life. Never let the nay-sayers stop you from achieving your dreams. Go out there and make your dreams come true-just remember, it takes hard work, dedication and commitment to get there,” said Singh.

In terms of his career goal, Singh aims to continue growing in the field of higher education management.

“I firmly believe that education is the cornerstone of societal improvement.  As Nelson Mandela once said. ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’ This belief motivates me to continue contributing to higher education and to support the next generation of students. I’m passionate about education, and I look forward to playing a meaningful role in shaping the future of higher education academic administration,” he said.

Pictured: Vikesh Singh is congratulated by DUT’s Professor Melanie Lourens, at his graduation ceremony.

Waheeda Peters