Hardworking students win big at architecture awards

The School of Built Environment and Development Studies, together with Corobrik, recently hosted their annual Architecture Awards and Scholarships on the Howard College campus.

Students who excelled academically were recognised through various awards and scholarships.

First-year student Kelisha Francis, who was awarded the Nsika Foundation Scholarship for Architecture, is grateful to the sponsors and God. "I am passionate about architecture. This award validates my hard work and dedication to the profession. I hope other students also work hard to make their dreams a reality," she said.

The award is based both on academic merit and on financial need and is only awarded to one deserving student a year in their first year of study. The scholarship covers tuition and residence fees, for each year of study from the second year of undergraduate studies in architecture until completion of the master's degree in architecture, provided satisfactory performance is maintained at each year of study.

Brent Buchanan of Nsika Architecture & Design congratulated Francis, saying she "was a deserving student who displayed both academic and technical talent".

Meanwhile, student Shuaib Bayat won the Master's Architectural Student of the Year Corobrik Award, receiving a R10 000 cash prize. He will represent UKZN in the national awards next year. "It is an honour to win. Thank you to the Almighty for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity. A special thanks to my mum, my brothers, my supervisor, friends and family and, most importantly, my late Dad who I wish could have been there to see me win. I am so excited to represent UKZN at the nationals next year!" he said.

Other Corobrik award recipients were: Tegan Wright (3rd) and Peter Harold (2nd), with a special award for Best Clay Masonry awarded to Meloshan Pillay.

Dean and Head of the School, Professor Ernest Khalema, congratulated the students on their achievements: "Architects are moving the country forward. The students should continue to excel and be agents of change."

Other students who received scholarships and awards were:* Sherwood Bond Bursary Fund worth R5 000Hlosisile Mngwengwe, Vahin Parmananda and Nicole Naidoo

* Brian Bernstein Memorial Scholarship worth R20 000Harold Drinn, Bhekuyise Njokwe, Ntokomalo Mzoneli and Hlengiwe M Ngubane

* South African Council for the Architectural Profession Scholarship worth R10 000Khadija Randeree, Shilubu Maluleke, Chloe Chantler and Chloe Naidoo

* Garth Moyes Good Fellowship Award worth R1 000Shilub Maluleke, Tino Mukumbareza, Anthony Kashit and Martie Barrett

* Geoffrey le Sueuer Scholarship worth R15 000Sinegugu Maphanga, Joshua Hales and Katherine Meyer