The School of Built Environment and Development Studies’ (BEDS) annual awards ceremony at the Howard College Theatre recognised top performing undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Master of Housing student and former Howard College SRC President Ms Kuhlekonke Ntuli won the prestigious KZN National Achievement Award in Leadership during the KZN Young Achievers Awards (KZNYAA) held at the Durban ICC. The award recognises her community contributions at provincial, national and international levels.
Operations Manager in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies Dr Phumelele Zakwe presented her research at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Conference on Higher Education, Community Engagement and Governance.
UKZN in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) screened the student-centred documentary film: Ready or Not! Black Students’ Experiences of South African Universities.
When Dr Sanele Mbambo was awarded his PhD in Town and Regional Planning from UKZN, he became the first South African graduate to achieve the degree in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mr Sthembiso Pollen Mkhize graduated with a Masters in Population Studies degree for his research which provided insight into the use of sexual health services by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in Durban.
The socially constructed meaning of ukujola casual relationships and how they fuel the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, were examined in research conducted by Dr Themba Mgwaba for his PhD in Development Studies from UKZN.
An interest in family dynamics led to Ms Nokwanele Mhlongo doing research on the effect of absent fathers on families and child care responsibilities.
Academics from the College of Humanities Professor Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan (School of Education) and Dr Mvuselelo Ngcoya (School of Built Environment & Development Studies) have been recognised by UKZN for excellence in teaching.
They both received the Distinguished Teachers’ Award (DTA) during a graduation ceremony.
Dr Hangwelani Magidimisa-Chipungu of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, participated in the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) Planning for Transition conference, held in Venice, Italy.