Father and son celebrate academic success

It was a moment of double delight for the Jaganath family as both father and son, Sean and Armaan Jaganath, crossed the stage at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Autumn Graduation Ceremonies — each receiving hard-earned academic accolades.

Sean, who obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and his son Armaan, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, were honoured in separate ceremonies — but united in celebration.

Describing the milestone as “serendipitous,” Sean said their simultaneous academic pursuits brought an unexpected sense of closeness.

“It was an unexpected coincidence that became a meaningful bonding experience,” he reflected. “While we pursued different paths, the journey brought us together in a way I will always cherish. Seeing my son succeed reminds me that the future is bright — and that he’s more than ready to take it on.”

For Armaan, the moment was deeply emotional.“My dad has always been my role model, and to reach this milestone together feels almost surreal,” he said. “Despite both of us juggling demanding academic schedules, he constantly supported me. Sharing in each other’s achievements made this moment even more meaningful — and it’s something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”

Although three decades apart in age and enrolled in different programmes, the pair formed a solid study support system. Armaan assisted Sean with the technical aspects of his coursework — from formatting to navigating academic platforms — while Sean offered guidance in time management, research, and professional discipline.

“Armaan was incredibly helpful with the technical aspects of my coursework,” Sean said. “He’s become quite the tech expert. In turn, I shared lessons from the business world and helped him structure his academic approach.”

Armaan echoed his father’s sentiments.“My dad has always been my hero. Even while pursuing his own goals, he never stopped being my biggest supporter. I'm so proud of him — not just for earning his MBA, but for being an incredible person and father.”

The week, filled with reflection and celebration, marked more than just academic achievement — it was a celebration of resilience, mentorship, and family.

“There’s an overwhelming sense of pride in the air,” said Armaan. “Not just for what we’ve achieved individually, but for what we’ve shared as a family.”

Sean, who is currently the Group Export Sales Manager at Tongaat Hulett, hopes his MBA will enhance his professional growth. Armaan, meanwhile, plans to pursue postgraduate studies and launch a career in software engineering.