Anthony Govender, a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, was awarded his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, at the graduation ceremony at the UKZN Westville campus on Wednesday.
Govender said his PhD journey was a fruitful one, though with challenges along the way.
“The hardest part of my PhD research was conducting laboratory experiments, often working until the early hours of the morning. However, it was rewarding having my research work published in international journals,” he said.
"To be now, one of the highest qualified mechanical engineers in the country, those many hours of research, were definitely worth it."
His PhD study investigated the mechanical, physical and microstructural properties of titanium sheets that were sintered under inert gas atmospheres, such as argon and helium.
"My research experiments simulated the continuous production process for titanium sheets, aimed at improving production output. I found that inert gas sintering is viable, under short sinter durations and high processing temperatures".
"In my PhD work, I also investigated the use of porous titanium for applications as a human bone replacement material. I found that porous titanium is a potential implant material for human trabecular bone, due its low density and excellent biocompatibility, which encourages osseointegration."
He is now working towards his professorship and continues to manage his own research group, supervising postgraduate students.
“I feel it is my responsibility to contribute to and improve the engineering profession, because our country severely lacks highly specialised engineers in comparison to first world countries.
"It is fulfilling knowing that the students I lecture are the next generation of engineers, and the concepts I teach them will help them make an impact on society. It is my way of giving back to the Engineering profession in South Africa.”
Although Govender is passionate about engineering, he wanted to become a medical doctor.
"I wanted to study medicine and become a surgeon, but my twin convinced me to study mechanical engineering with him. It all worked out in the end, as today I am an engineer, and people call me Doctor Anthony Govender,” said the 35-year-old of Glenwood.
He attended Heather Secondary School in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, where he was the deputy head boy. Govender attained five distinctions in matric.
He thereafter graduated summa cum laude in his undergraduate studies at UKZN; and received the Dean’s Commendation certificate in every semester.
Govender then went on to complete his Master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Cape Town, specialising in Concentrated solar energy technology.
His grandparents and his twin brother, Jude Govender, were his biggest supporters, and the most influential people in his life. His twin also graduated with a cum laude degree in mechanical engineering in 2010 from UKZN.
"Jude was an international welding engineer and had two Master's degrees, one from the University of the Witwatersrand, and one from the University of Swansea in the United Kingdom. Sadly, he passed away in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic."
Govender thanked God for giving him the "ability, strength, and perseverance" to achieve his PhD.
"I dedicate this achievement to my grandparents, the late Mr Dorasamy ‘Nine’ Govender and Mrs Dhanum Govender, and to my brother, Jude."