Graduating, No matter what! Edwina's road to Graduation
Imagine being a full-time accountant in the banking sector, attending virtual lectures after long working days, and recovering from major surgery — all at the same time. This was Edwina De Almeida’s reality as she pursued her Honours in Business Management at NUST on 10 October 2025, turning every challenge into a stepping stone towards success.
While not everyone is fortunate enough to win such battles, and while success need not be marred by hardship to be celebrated, Edwina’s story stands as a beacon of hope for those who may feel like giving up. During her studies, she faced an unexpected health challenge that required major surgery and an extended hospital stay. She underwent a laparotomy — a surgical procedure that involves a large incision in the abdomen to access and examine internal organs for diagnosis or treatment. Despite this, she remained committed to completing her qualification.
Dedication and Inspiration
Now she has recovered and proudly dedicates this achievement to her late grandmother, whose strength and spirit inspired her to persevere through every obstacle. Reflecting on her journey, she says: She also credits NUST lecturers and administrators for their guidance, flexibility, and support throughout her journey. “From boardrooms, lecture halls, to hospital beds I have lived it all, and I am ready for what is next”.
Onto the next
She is currently pursuing a Women in Leadership short course at Stellenbosch University to fortify her leadership skills and plans to continue towards a Master of Business Administration.
Her advice to fellow students: “Be resilient and determined in everything that you do. Resilience helps us rise when life knocks us down, and determination fuels the drive to keep going, even when the path is steep”.
