Young Woman Attains Mechanical Engineering Degree Summa Cum Laude
Mechanical Engineering summa cum laude graduate and Solar Car fundi, Ms Fathima Moosa, with her family.Ms Fathima Moosa says the hard work she put into her Mechanical Engineering degree resulted in her graduating summa cum laude – one of only two students in her class to do so.
A special moment in Moosa’s study was when she worked on UKZN’s Solar Car Project last year. Moosa was involved in the structural analysis of the project, determining the most efficient way to construct the solar vehicle so that it would not fail during operation.
‘Unlike many of the final year mechanical engineering projects, ours was concerned only with design, not construction; that was left to the project students of 2014,’ said Moosa. ‘The experience was both interesting and challenging, with much learned as well as much sleep lost!’
Moosa’s love of mathematics and science and her natural curiosity about how things work, led to her pursuing Mechanical Engineering as a career. Currently employed at ArcelorMittal SA, she was fortunate enough to receive a bursary from the company to finance her undergraduate studies. Her learning does not stop there, however, as she intends registering part-time for her Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Moosa’s role model is her mother who has motivated her to excel in her studies. ‘Another reason for my interest in engineering is my perhaps somewhat idealistic notion that I can help make the world a better place to live in. Alternative energy as well as conservation of current energy resources, are something I am extremely passionate about and would like to further pursue,’ said Moosa.
The assumption that engineering is a male-dominated profession is one that Moosa wants to change. ‘I believe that there is a lot that women can contribute to this field given the chance. I would therefore like to promote engineering as a career among other young women wanting to make a difference.
- Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .Lecturer Keen to Introduce Environmental Influence in Engineering
PhD graduate and Lecturer in the School of Engineering, Dr Elena Friedrich, is eager to bring an environmental agenda into Engineering.PhD graduate and Lecturer in the School of Engineering Dr Elena Friedrich is keen to bring an environmental agenda into engineering. Friedrich, who developed a keen interest in environmental issues during her first years at university, has just been awarded her PhD in Civil Engineering.
‘Both my Masters and PhD engineering dissertations deal with the interface between engineering activities and the resultant environmental impacts,’ said Friedrich. ‘I would like to bring the environmental agenda into engineering through raising awareness and developing tools to address environmental issues resulting from engineering activities.
‘I’d also like to be involved in a practical manner and to do applied research in this field contributing towards sustainability and making a difference. I felt that the best place was in civil engineering because of the immediate impacts of my research,’ said Friedrich.
Friedrich’s PhD dissertation, supervised by Dean and Head of School, Professor Cristina Trois, was titled: “An Investigation into the Emission of Greenhouse Gases Associated with the Disposal of Solid Waste in the eThekwini Municipality”.
Her research entailed calculating greenhouse gas emission factors for the management of waste in the local context. These factors are important for measuring how much greenhouse gases are emitted from waste management processes. As such they help optimise current waste systems and assess new waste management strategies with the goal of minimising greenhouse gases resulting from waste management.
Raising a family, studying and working at the same time, proved difficult for Friedrich. ‘My children were very young when I started and at times it was a very frustrating experience. I had help from my family, however, in particular my husband and from the LEAP programme at UKZN - they provided lecture relief for one semester. I’m very grateful for all this help.’
With her PhD in the bag, Friedrich intends to continue with her research and widen the scope of her studies. ‘Besides greenhouse gas emissions, I’m interested in the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change and in air emissions from transportation,’ she added.
- Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .Rocket Science is the Love of Graduate’s Life!
Rocket Science was the focus of MSc Engineering graduate Ms Fiona Leverone’s research.Many people shy away from rocket science but UKZN graduate Ms Fiona Leverone just loves it! The focus of Leverone’s research for her Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering (cum laude) involved modeling the effects various propulsion and aerodynamic parameters have on the performance of a sub-orbital hybrid sounding rocket.
This trade study led to the preliminary design of a paraffin wax and nitrous oxide propelled hybrid rocket capable of carrying a 5kg scientific payload to a height of 100km.
Her motivation to learn more about aerospace led her to specialising in Mechanical Engineering. ‘I have always been fascinated by how things work and integrate, especially with regards to aerospace and what better career choice than mechanical engineering. Being a male-dominated field has also motivated me to succeed,’ said Leverone.
‘My short term goal is to get my doctorate focusing on orbital propulsion and then hopefully one day work for the European Space Agency or even NASA.’ Leverone says she does not have one role model but prefers to learn from everyone who has influenced her life in some way.
She describes her degree as a learning experience with ‘ups and downs. The international conferences, research group development, and academic interactions with experienced professionals were definitely incredible opportunities which added to the whole experience.’
Leverone says there is a need for female engineers in South Africa. ‘This is because we offer a different and dynamic way of thinking in this male dominated field. Often old favourite solutions which are not always the best can be seen from a different perspective and improved.’
- Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .Avocado Research Earns Graduate MSc in Agricultural Engineering Summa Cum Laude
Ms Alaika Kassim graduated with her Agricultural Engineering Masters’ degree summa cum laude, attributing success to her passion to succeed.Motivated by a passion to succeed, Ms Alaika Kassim has graduated with her Agricultural Engineering Masters degree summa cum laude. She says the work and commitment involved in getting the degree were extremely demanding and challenging but enjoyable and rewarding at the same time.
Her research-based masters, supervised by Professor Tilahun Workneh and Professor Carel Bezuidenhout, was all about avocado pears! It focused on the integrative effect of postharvest handling techniques of pre-packaging, packaging and suitable storage conditions on the physical, chemical and subject sensory quality of avos.
The pre-packaging treatments were Avoshine® wax and hot water dipping and the packaging materials were perforated low density polyethylene bags and perforated corn starch biodegradable bags. The types of storage conditions analysed were fixed temperature and relative humidity and that of varying temperature and relative humidity (simulation of the avocado cold chain).
Very aware of the shortage of agricultural engineers in South Africa, Kassim says she chose the degree partly to make more people aware of the field as a career choice. ‘Seeing this niche, I immediately knew that I was able to fill it. The science field has always intrigued me and I wanted to pursue a career that was challenging,’ said Kassim.
‘As Agricultural Engineers we are duty bound to ensure quality, productivity and sustainability in food production.’ Kassim’s role model in life is her mother, who she describes as a strong and determined woman instrumental in steering her children towards professional qualifications.
With regards to future plans, Kassim said: ‘I have a passion for research and contributing to science. I hope to now pursue a doctoral degree after which I aim to lecture at a tertiary institution as well as focus on additional research and consulting. The opportunity of being at a tertiary institution will enable me to undertake academic research in addressing problems facing communities.’
Kassim is an advocate of empowering women. ‘Women are now able to enter fields that were previously male-dominated, which is a big step forward for South Africa,’ she said. ‘I have on numerous occasions done presentations talks and engaged with female students to motivate them to pursue a career in the science field, specifically in Agricultural Engineering. I now have to try to be a model for many young women to become more proactive in their communities.’
- Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .Academic Success a Way of Life for Graduate
Electronic Engineering summa cum laude graduate and top UKZN undergraduate student, Mr Ridwaan Amod. The Higher Education career of Electronic Engineering summa cum laude graduate, Mr Ridwaan Amod, is dotted with academic diamonds.
Amod achieved success throughout his degree, receiving two of UKZN highest student awards: the Lawrence and Constance Robinson Scholarship awarded to the best single undergraduate at UKZN and the Townley Williams Scholarship, awarded to the best student entering the final year of study. Further to this, he is the Top UKZN student among 28 000 undergraduates.
And in his undergraduate years his marks averaged above 90%. ‘Ridwaan attained certificates of merit for 42 of the 42 modules he did in his first three years of study,’ said UKZN’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Professor Renuka Vithal. ‘He was also top of the class for 36 of these modules, scoring 100% in two modules; and was awarded the Dean’s Commendation in every semester since he has been registered. This is a phenomenal and rare achievement which makes him one of the very best students at UKZN.’
Amod says he has always been fascinated at how fast technology progresses and how it can be used to make a positive difference to people’s lives. His secret to success is ‘goal-setting, a balanced lifestyle and having the confidence to achieve excellence.’
- Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .PHD Research Provides New Insights into the Sustainable Management of Lake St Lucia
Newly capped PhD graduate, Dr Robynee Chrystal, has brought new insights into the functioning of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which have profound implications for the management of Lake St Lucia.‘An intellectual marathon’, is how Dr Robynne Chrystal describes the accomplishment of successfully completing her PhD degree.
Supervised by the eThekwini Municipality Chair in Civil Engineering at UKZN, Professor Derek Stretch, and Dr Ursula Scharler of the School of Life Sciences, Chrystal’s dissertation examined the anthropogenic impacts and biophysical interactions in Lake St Lucia.
‘Lake St Lucia is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage site,’ explained Stretch. ‘Like many wetlands worldwide it has experienced significant anthropogenic impacts over the past century that threaten its role as an important biodiversity resource. Chrystal’s study used a novel integrated analysis of biological and physical processes to bring new insights into the functioning of the system that have profound implications for the sustainable management of St Lucia.’
Chrystal said that the aim of her PhD was to improve the understanding of the biophysical interactions in the estuarine complex and to provide new knowledge to underpin the development of improved models for predicting the response of these systems to anthropogenic changes and changing climatic conditions.
Her examiners said her thesis was well researched, very well written, very clear and very honest. ‘The main outcome is a new, sound and science-process-based understanding of the workings of the whole estuary as an ecosystem driven by feedbacks between biology and physics.’ They all agreed the implications of the study on the management of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park were profound.
Chrystal enjoyed mathematics, science and the outdoors and she has always had an interest in the environment. ‘I wanted to pursue a career that would put me in a position to be able to make a difference.’
She says she does not have one role model but rather chooses to learn from a number of people. ‘There is not one person I aspire to but rather the traits and achievements of a number of people. I believe that you should strive to be the best you can be, because there is only one of you.’
‘A PhD is like entering an intellectual marathon, a very long race with lots of ups and downs. It was not possible without the help of my coaches and lots of encouragement. I was challenged on many levels, but I learnt a lot along the way. It was a very satisfying accomplishment.’
Chrystal aims to get involved in progressive research and interesting projects where she can make significant contributions.
- Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .Engineering is a Girl Thing, says Graduate
Ms Satvika Harilal, who graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering summa cum laude, with her proud parents.With her elder brother as her role model, Ms Satvika Harilal has made her family proud by graduating top of her class with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering summa cum laude degree.
Harilal had an interest in engineering since she was in high school and her curiosity knew no bounds when it came to computers, cell phones, airplanes, roller coasters and even robots.
Her fascination with such things led her to study mechanical engineering so she could learn more about them. ‘I am even more motivated to continue to learn about these life changing creations and hopefully work more closely with some of them in future,’ she said.
Tetra Pak, a food processing and packaging solutions company in Pinetown, has employed Harilal as their first Process Engineer. ‘While there I hope to gain the necessary skills and expertise through their training programmes and under the guidance of the professionals in the FMCG sector. I aim to obtain my GCC or Pr. Eng in the near future,’ said Harilal.
She is glad women are now showing more interest in Engineering as a career. ‘I think women need to be educated about engineering and encouraged to pursue careers in the field. The scope for engineering, and mechanical engineering specifically, is ever broadening and therefore it is necessary to get more people involved.’
Harilal described her path to obtaining her Mechanical Engineering degree as extremely difficult. ‘Like any experience, there are good times and difficult times. It has been one of the biggest challenges of my life so far and my thanks go to my family and friends who are the strong support system I have behind me.’
- Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .PhD in Engineering for Academic
Dean of Engineering at Mangosuthu University of Technology, Dr Senzo Malinga, was awarded a PhD in Electronic Engineering from UKZN.The Dean of Engineering at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, Dr Senzo Jerome Malinga, graduated from UKZN with a PhD in Engineering. He was supervised by Professor Thomas Afullo.
His research project dealt with an approach for determination of rainfall fading using measured rainfall rates and raindrop sizes in southern Africa. By assuming oblate spheroidal raindrops, the scattering amplitude functions the specific attenuation and phase shift due to rain are determined. The results give a marked improvement over the ITU-R stipulations.
author : .author email : .First Construction Management PhD at UKZN
Dr Nishani Harinarain has earned herself a PhD in Construction Management, the very first awarded by UKZN.Not only is UKZN Lecturer Dr Nishani Harinarain the University’s first PhD graduate in Construction Management, she is also a woman achieving in a male-dominated environment.
Harinarain, who was supervised by Dean and Head of the School of Engineering, Professor Cristina Trois and by Professor Theodore Haupt, produced a dissertation titled: “Effective HIV and AIDS Management: A South African Construction Sector Model”.
‘The South African construction industry in particular has lagged behind other sectors in responding corporately to the threats of the HIV/Aids pandemic,’ said Trois.
‘A successful and sustainable construction industry demands a healthy, productive workforce. Dr Nishani Harinarain, developed a model to effectively manage HIV and AIDS in the South African construction industry using structural equation modeling.’
Trois said Harinarian had contributed to the existing body of knowledge and theory with her model, which if implemented would drive corporate response and behaviour in this important sector.
‘According to the corps of international examiners, Nishani’s work has the potential to majorly impact the political and social agendas in terms of its change catalystic value relative to reducing the catastrophic effects of HIV and AIDS,’ said Trois.
‘I am very proud to be the first person at UKZN to graduate with a PhD in Construction Management,’ said Harinarian, who lectures in UKZN’s property development programme.
- Sally Frost
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