UJ Health Sciences graduate, Aaqilah Minty receives top faculty award
UJ Health Sciences graduate, Aaqilah Minty receives top faculty award
Aaqilah Minty’s dedication and hard work culminated in receiving the Special Award Faculty Prize during the Faculty of Health Sciences graduation ceremony on 24 July 2024. The 23-year-old, now a medical laboratory scientist at Lancet Laboratories, consistently excelled throughout her four years of study.
Minty, who was the top student in her degree, achieved the Best in Class for all but one module in her second year. She also garnered the most distinctions and earned service awards for her mentorship. The Faculty Prize for the Most Prestigious student among Undergraduate and Honours students for 2023 was a crowning achievement for her.
“I was completely shocked when I got the email. My degree is filled with extremely intelligent people, so I couldn’t believe it. I am really thankful; it acknowledges my hard work and sacrifices,” Minty said.
Minty graduated with a BHSc in Medical Laboratory Science with a final mark of 86%. Although initially expected to pursue a medical degree, she found her niche in medical laboratory sciences, appreciating its blend of medical work without patient interaction.
Choosing UJ was an easy decision for Minty, partly influenced by her familiarity with the institution through her mother, a lecturer there. The BHSc degree offered by UJ provided superior opportunities and better bursary options compared to other universities.
“University studies are expensive and while I got opportunities from other universities, their bursary options were not as good as the one at UJ. The difference between my degree BHSc and a BSc – if you come to a lab setting the BHSc is a higher qualification with higher pay and more opportunity. It is a vast degree and UJ offers the best opportunity for it.”
Reflecting on her academic journey , Minty emphasised the importance of hard work. “I work very hard. I don’t always feel smart, but I make sure I understand everything. My advice to students is simple: work hard and don’t compare yourself to others.”
She also stressed the importance of a good work and life balance.
“While you are in varsity only once, it is ok to party but remember the money and sacrifices that your parents had to make to put you in school. Once you have your degree and job you will have all the money to party and do what you want. Sacrifice for your degree. If you fail at even just one thing, you push your life back for six months over a party? It doesn’t make sense.”
Minty has been working at Lancet for the past year and a half as part of the UJ Integrated Learning Programme. She enjoys exploring new restaurants, watching movies, and sports in her free time. Looking ahead, Minty plans to pursue a master’s degree and hopes to become a lecturer, driven by her passion for teaching.
