The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) celebrated the remarkable achievements of its international exchange students during the 2026 Autumn Graduation ceremonies, showcasing how global learning experiences can enhance academic excellence, broaden intellectual horizons, and contribute meaningfully to student success.
As participants in UKZN’s Exchange and Mobility Programmes, these graduates embraced opportunities to study abroad while maintaining exceptional academic performance. Their achievements demonstrate the transformative power of internationalisation and reinforce the University’s commitment to developing globally engaged graduates equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Among the graduates was Ms Meghna Moodley, who completed a semester-long exchange programme at Michigan State University in the United States in 2022. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Political Science, having amassed an impressive academic record that includes 16 Certificates of Merit and the prestigious Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship.
Reflecting on her experience abroad, Moodley said that studying at Michigan State University deepened her appreciation for interdisciplinary approaches to scholarship, particularly in political psychology. The experience enhanced her academic perspective and contributed to her development as a scholar.
Ms Phumla Mngwevu, who spent the second semester of 2024 at Åbo Akademi University in Finland, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Science Honours degree in General Psychology. Her journey to academic success was marked by determination and personal growth.
Although she did not initially regard herself as a top-performing student, she adopted a personal commitment to never settle for less than 70%, a mindset that ultimately led to her first Dean’s Commendation and numerous subsequent achievements, including membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Describing her exchange experience as one of the defining moments of her university journey, Mngwevu said: “It showed me that education opens doors. I would not have gone abroad in my early twenties without it.”
For Ms Courtney Louter, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Media and Cultural Studies represented the culmination of years of dedication and perseverance. During 2024, she participated in an exchange programme at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea, an experience that further enriched her academic and personal development.
“This achievement is only possible because of God,” she reflected.
Now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English, Louter was recently awarded the UKZN Postgraduate Summa Cum Laude Scholarship.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the University for investing in my academic potential,” she added.
Ms Sonia Budhram graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Media and Cultural Studies after completing a semester-long exchange programme at the University of Tours in France during the first semester of 2025.
Her academic journey has been characterised by perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for both language and media. The opportunity to study in France enabled her to deepen her linguistic proficiency while gaining first-hand exposure to the cultural context underpinning her studies. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Media Studies.
Similarly, Ms Asithandile “Clémence” Nomvete graduated with a Master’s degree in French, reflecting a longstanding commitment to language scholarship and international engagement.
Her global academic journey began in 2019 when she participated in UKZN’s exchange programme at the University of Tours in France. She subsequently returned to France during her Honours year as an English Language Teaching Assistant before further expanding her international academic experience through studies at the University of Réunion from September to December 2024.
Nomvete credited her academic supervisor, Professor Bernard De Meyer, for his unwavering support and mentorship throughout her studies. She is now preparing to embark on doctoral studies, continuing a scholarly journey shaped by international learning and academic excellence.
The achievements of these graduates illustrate the significant value of international mobility as a catalyst for academic success, personal growth, and global citizenship. Their stories challenge the misconception that studying abroad may interrupt academic progress, instead demonstrating that international experiences can strengthen academic performance while cultivating resilience, independence, adaptability, and intercultural competence.
As UKZN continues to advance its internationalisation agenda, student mobility remains a key pillar of the University’s strategy to provide transformative educational experiences that prepare graduates to lead and contribute meaningfully within local, national, and global contexts.
The University congratulates its exchange student graduates on their exceptional achievements and wishes them every success as they continue their academic, professional, and personal journeys.
Words: Zama Khoza
Photos: Supplied