01 September 2025 Volume :13 Issue :27

And the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship Winners for 2025 are…

From left: Ms Drishti Ramcharan, Ms Bazolile Mthuli, and Ms Sara Bucus.

The College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Scholarship winners for 2025 are Ms Bazolile Mthuli, Ms Drishti Ramcharan and Ms Sara Bacus.

The prestigious scholarship is awarded to the highest-ranked undergraduate students progressing from second year to subsequent years of study in each of UKZN’s four Colleges.

The award recognises outstanding performance over two or more years of undergraduate education.

Mthuli, a final year student pursuing a Bachelor of Education, believes that the DVC scholarship embodies a commitment to educational access and support for students in need, like herself. “The key lessons from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s legacy include the importance of valuing education and empowering individuals to overcome challenges. Together, these lessons inspire students to pursue their goals and contribute positively to their communities,” she said. 

Mthuli aims to secure full-time employment by 2026, studying part-time for her honours’ degree during this period. Fast forward six years and she envisions herself as a lecturer, able to share her passion for mathematics and contribute to the academic development of future students. 

Ramcharan, a third-year student reading for a Bachelor of Social Science with majors in Psychology and Criminology, expressed her gratitude, saying: “Receiving such a prestigious and surreal award means the world to me. Being part of this opportunity is a blessing. This is not just an award, it’s the University recognising potential within me that I myself would have never been able to recognise. Therefore, it feels like my duty to give back to my University.”

Ramcharan plans to continue being an active participant in the UKZN community, aiming to use the tools provided by the University to assist new and upcoming students through mentorship, guidance, and academic support programmes.

Bacus is pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree in the Senior and Further Education and Training Phases, specialising in Life Sciences, Natural Science and Technology. She intends to further her studies in Educational Management with the goal of becoming a school principal. Alternatively, she is considering advancing her Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to pursue a career as a lecturer in the sciences. “Both pathways align with my commitment to making a meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of young people,” she shared.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photograph: Andile Ndlovu

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