Top achiever beats COVID-19, graduates with law degree cum laude
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Bachelor of Law (LLB) cum laude graduate, Dharini Rangasamy, has graduated cum laude despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My family and I contracted COVID-19 last year and I unfortunately endured Long COVID for most of the last semester of my degree,” said Rangasamy.
“There were many times where I would feel completely debilitated. I am really proud of myself for my hard work and resilience throughout my degree, but particularly during my long illness.”
A top achiever, Rangasamy received seven distinctions in matric and while at UKZN was awarded four Dean’s Commendations, six Certificates of Merit as well as the 2020 College of Law and Management Studies Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Award.
She says graduating cum laude “is the icing on the cake”.
“I was initially studying for a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, but during my first year, I realised that I was passionate about law and transferred the following year – it was one of the best decisions of my life,” said Rangasamy.
Rangasamy said she is grateful to her family for their support throughout her academic journey.
“My family are incredibly proud of me and thrilled that I have graduated cum laude. My parents have made so many sacrifices to give me the best life and I am happy to be making them proud,” she said.
UKZN hosted four virtual graduation ceremonies on 24 November 2021, for graduates who completed their studies between April and August this year. The university conferred a total of 2 042 degree certificates, 1 108 of which were awarded to undergraduate recipients and 934 to post-graduates.
A total of 919 qualifications were conferred in the College of Humanities, 518 in the College of Law and Management Studies, 395 in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, and 210 in the College of Health Sciences.
The ceremony featured congratulatory messages by the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans, the SRC President and the Convocation President.
UKZN Director of Corporate Relations, Normah Zondo, said: "We are proud of all our graduates and wish them well in their future endeavours."
Visit http://virtualgraduation.ukzn.ac.za
Issued by:
Corporate Relations Division
University of KwaZulu-Natal