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Pakworks Bursary Assists UKZN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTThird-year UKZN Mechanical Engineering student Mr Brando Arran expressed immense gratitude for a bursary recently awarded by Pakworks, emphasising the relief it has provided both him and his family. %u2018The funding has assisted me greatly by reducing stress in both mine and my family%u2019s life. We usually struggle to gather enough funds for tuition on time. Ever since COVID-19, business opportunities for my family%u2019s company have slowed down. This often delays my registration for a week or two, which bars me from access to the University%u2019s online resources and places me at a disadvantage. However, thanks to this bursary, I can better prepare for the upcoming semester,%u2019 he explained.Arran%u2019s interest in studying Mechanical Engineering stems from a unique blend of science and art, which he developed during high school. Despite coming from a family with a background in engineering and manufacturing, his decision to study Engineering was driven more by his love for both subjects. %u2018I originally aspired to become an artist, but I didn%u2019t want the time constraints and stress from employers to diminish my passion for art. My second choice was physics, but I couldn%u2019t see a way to express myself creatively through it. Engineering Mr Brando Arran. beautifully blends science and art together. The design aspect of Mechanical Engineering allows me to express my artistic and creative side, often helping me to come up with unique manufacturing designs in class.%u2019Originally from Westville, Arran and his family later moved to Kloof. His academic journey, like that of many Engineering students, has been filled with obstacles. %u2018One of the biggest challenges has been adapting to the workload. Some semesters, especially in third year, consist of up to seven modules, making it tricky to manage. To achieve good results, I had to make sacrifices in my social life and, at times, even in certain modules. Prioritisation is key, as different modules carry different weightings. One strategy that worked for me was staying up to date with coursework and never missing lectures, which proved especially beneficial in my second year.%u2019Mechanical Engineering, Arran explained, is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates elements of Electrical and Chemical Engineering. %u2018Understanding these sister disciplines helps %u2018To achieve good results, I had to make sacrifices in my social life and, at times, even in certain modules. ...Staying up to date with coursework and never missing lectures... proved especially beneficial in my second year.%u2019 MR BRANDON ARRANUNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL FOUNDATION 19