Medical student shortlisted for International Rising Star Award
Fifth-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student Tivana Chellan (22) was shortlisted out of 200 nominees for the International Rising Star Award at the 2021 Safety and Health Excellence Awards interactive digital conference.
The awards celebrate innovation and achievements in the health and safety sector with emphasis on the high standards of excellence and dedication.
Said Chellan: "I was very honoured to have represented UKZN and South Africa as the youngest ever shortlisted candidate. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions in place, the event was held digitally giving me global recognition!’
Her love for community service started before she enrolled to study medicine at UKZN – she completed her schooling at Tongaat Secondary School, which had limited resources and offered no extra-curricular activities, all of which motivated her to work hard at making a difference in her community.
Chellan and some of her high school teachers formed a Rotary Interact Club at Tongaat Secondary, which helped her interact with the community through food drives, outreach programmes for the elderly and disabled, women empowerment programmes and youth upliftment.
"It was then that I knew I wanted to make a real difference, I wanted a life of impact, so I decided to study medicine and UKZN was the only university I applied to because I felt I belonged there," she said.
"Being accepted was an absolute privilege – it has allowed me to serve others while at the same time allowing God to work through me."
Words: Lihle Sosibo