Class of 2017: Adaryll Simpson proves that with hard work, anything is possible
Adaryll Simpson became the first person from his family to graduate from university when he received a B.Pharm degree at the University of the Western Cape’s Summer Graduation 2017.
For the 29-year-old Elsies River resident, the degree represents not just a way to escape the negative elements of his environment, but also to help others in the process.
“The drive to excel in my studies came about due to my living conditions,” he says. “I had to make the best of my situation, and my wish when commencing this degree was essentially to have a better life for me and my family - I am the sole breadwinner in my household for my mother and my uncle.”
After matriculating from Elsies River High School, Adaryll went straight into the world of work - but shortly after he started working for Melomed Hospital in Bellville as a stock controller, he got an opportunity to further his tertiary education. After 6 months of employment, a learnership post opened, and he was selected for an interview - where Melomed CEO Ebrahim Borat was surprised to hear that the talented young man only had a matric certificate.
“Mr Ebrahim Bhorat offered to send me to university only if I promised to see the assistant courses through, which I did,” Adaryll says. “My love for pharmacy started then and there - and it’s only grown ever since. With this field, there’s always the opportunity to learn something new, with constant updates and additions in the industry.”
Lifelong Learning - And Helping Others
He has been employed with Melomed for seven years and acquired a lot of practical knowledge there - and not just about the different aspects of formulation, chemistry, pharmacology and the practise of pharmaceuticals.
“Hard work, dedication, time management and perseverance are a few of the qualities I had to acquire while completing my degree and still working as well,” Adaryll says. “This ensures that I always strive to learn as much as possible in order to improve my skills - and imparting those skills into my profession to teach others as well.”
His future plans involve gaining more experience in the field of hospital pharmacy and also completing his Masters, and eventually his PhD in clinical pharmacy - he’s particularly keen to apply his mind to the direct assessment and management of patients in a healthcare setting.
“I will do that as soon as my family is sorted and settled,” he says, “but right now my family is my most important priority.”
For a short video on Adaryll’s story, just follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/1402174346666250/videos/1948850098665336/
The University of the Western Cape conferred 615 degrees, diplomas and certificates in its Summer Graduation 2017 ceremony, including 17 Doctoral degrees, 53 Masters degrees, 8 Honours degrees, 334 Undergraduate degrees and 203 diplomas and certificates. Together with the Autumn and Spring Graduation ceremonies earlier this year, that makes over 100 PhDs and 5000 graduates for 2017 - a new record for the University.
