IT Enthusiasts Graduate Cum Laude

BY: .

UKZN Tech enthusiasts Ms Nitasha Pillay, Mr Shridhar Singh and Ms Prinee Moodley graduated with cum laude Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Systems and Technology degrees.

Pillay said her results were achieved through an unwavering determination not only to achieve personal excellence but also to inspire and empower others to pursue their passions with equal fervour and to strive for excellence.

‘I love the space of technology and marketing,’she said. ‘I enjoy mentoring students, teaching young people about tech, developing young leaders, and equipping them with skills to succeed. My goal is to invest in the development of our youth in South Africa and create a legacy of leadership that extends far beyond,’ she said.

Currently a Digital Consultant at KPMG under the Emerging Technologies Division, Pillay founded the Tech Society for UKZN students while pursuing her studies for which she has received both local and international awards.

‘I was also an ambassador for Women in Tech South Africa, and a peer academic mentor and a class representative. I received the Women in Tech Africa Award in Cape Town and also the Aspiring Teen Women in Tech 2022 award from Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Marwan Al Maktoum in Dubai. In between flying, public speaking, being a tech ambassador, mentoring and empowering students and women, I had to submit assignments, write tests, attend job interviews and work on my research,’ she said.

Having advanced skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), software and game development, Singh said his degree had not only broadened his knowledge but had opened doors for him in the world of work.

‘I was offered full-time employment as a software developer at Geotab Africa before my degree was finalised. The leadership and development skills I have obtained through this degree allow me to be a valuable asset to my company in the short time I’ve been there - heading up my own projects and analysing critical functions of existing ones. Hopefully, I will one day secure a dream job as a Senior Software Developer,’ he said.

While studying at UKZN, he had the opportunity to lead a development team collaborating with RunWithIT to develop the first prototype, Pet Ecosystem for South Africa and deploy it on Azure Servers. ‘I also led other development efforts, one of which was a class-wide application demonstrating stages of software developments through various iterations.’

Singh, who also holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Computer Science and Information Technology, is currently pursuing his master’s degree, with aspirations of ultimately attaining a doctorate.

Currently employed as a Business Consultant for BSG, a business and technology consulting company, Moodley aims to use her recently acquired qualification to meet the industry's ever-evolving demands and skill requisites within the realm of technology.

‘In five years, I’d love to be a true expert in my field with lots of successful experience. I want to grow into a more senior business analyst role that includes leading a team of my own. IT is an innovative career field, so if you are constantly imagining ways in which things could be better, you are probably a good fit for an IT career.’

She said her motivation in studying IT stemmed from the profound realisation that acquiring IT skills allowed an individual to positively impact the lives of others. Passing with flying colours is a significant stride forward for her as it positions her to inspire and empower young women who seek to carve their paths in this field.

‘Achieving cum laude is one of my biggest achievements and it was obtained through sheer determination and hard work. I always made sure to put my best effort in whatever work was assigned to me and to help others where I could,’ she said.

Words: Samukelisiwe Cele

Photographs: Rajesh Jantilal