Paul Ssali, a Mechanical Engineering student in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria, was ranked among the top ten students in South Africa during the Gradstar awards ceremony which took place on 27 September 2016. Each September, BlackBark Productions and GradConnection, in partnership with key role-players, employers and universities, hold this national competition to recognise students who show potential as South Africa's future leaders. 

The GradStar programme selects the top 100 university students from across South Africa and connect them with potential employers, stakeholders, graduate recruitment agencies and business mentors who will assist them in getting ready for the workplace. In order to be awarded a place in the Top 100, candidates need to survive four rounds of eliminations. Workshops with potential employers form part of the judging process. The ten top candidates are selected on the day of the main event after a final round of assessment.

Giles Harmse, a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at UP, and Bianca Gevers, a final-year Chemial Engineering student, were among the top 100 students recognised as future leaders in South Africa.

The Faculty is proud to be associated with these students who will make a difference in the world through innovative leadership.