This year’s UKZN Abe Bailey Travel Bursary went to fifth-year Medical student Mr Divesh Singaram, who said the award was proof that investing in yourself pays off.
‘I feel very excited and grateful for being selected for the bursary!’ said Singaram.
The focus of the Abe Bailey Bursary is leadership development with the trustees wanting the bursaries to be awarded to students who are academically strong and have shown exceptional qualities of leadership and service, with a good track record – not only on a campus level but also in a wider social context.
‘My family and friends were surprised and proud of my news. They have supported me throughout my lifelong journey and expressed joy and excitement upon hearing about the venture that is to follow,’ said Singaram whose mother is the Head of the Health Professions Education Unit at UKZN’s College of Health Sciences, Professor Veena Singaram.
He said throughout his life he had always been dedicated to serving the greater good. ‘I believe we all have been placed on earth for a purpose and finding out what that purpose is and achieving it is the journey we call life. I finished matric strong, being placed in the top five percent in the country for five subjects in Independent Examinations Board (IEB) schools and placed third overall at my high school – Crawford College.’
He is a member of the Golden Key Society and was awarded Deans’ Commendations from his first year at UKZN. University life also opened his eyes to collaborating with UKZN’s student entrepreneurship programme, InQubate, under which he is currently working on an app that enhances motivation to broaden his entrepreneurial interests alongside creating websites for companies on the side to keep his IT dream alive.
Singaram, who often volunteers to serve those less fortunate and in need of medical services organised through a non-profit organisation, has also collaborated internationally with students from the University of Calgary in achieving solutions for non-profit organisations and provided them with the opportunity to identify potential solutions to challenges faced by local organisations in the Calgary community that have an impact globally. He thanked UKZN for putting its faith in his positive outlook, which enables him to make a lasting impact.
Singaram said he thoroughly enjoyed travelling to India for a maths competition. ‘It is always exciting to make friends and learn about new cultures from individuals in their homeland. The maths competition was a great experience to learn about how others work on the same problems we do and to get a new angle – something that wouldn’t be taught in our local classrooms.’
He chose to study Medicine because he felt it is a degree that allows him to combine the ability to serve and heal people holistically whilst exploring the intricacies and complexities on the science and art form ‘we call the human body. If you don’t love what you do you are in the wrong place… I also am a very entrepreneurial individual and excited to explore new innovations in the medical space.’
Singaram says he loves all sorts of racquet sports and playing soccer with his friends. ‘I enjoy travelling, both locally in our beautiful country and abroad. I also enjoy chess, games, reading and family time.’
Singaram says he is looking forward to the country’s new healthcare system, for which he said he already has ‘a ton of ideas’ to offer. He looks forward to travelling further and developing a greater understanding of how different people think, as ‘the more you engage with people the more you realise how much you don’t know’.
Words: Lunga Memela
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini