{"id":43172,"date":"2026-09-22T17:19:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=43172"},"modified":"2026-09-22T17:19:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:19:48","slug":"building-more-than-infrastructure-christopher-lese-graduates-while-inspiring-future-engineers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/st\/building-more-than-infrastructure-christopher-lese-graduates-while-inspiring-future-engineers\/","title":{"rendered":"Building more than infrastructure: Christopher Lese graduates while inspiring future engineers"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Christopher Lese celebrates earning his Diploma in Civil Engineering at VUT after balancing demanding studies, work and perseverance.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

22 September 2026 | Story by: Ntebogeleng Digasu | Picture:<\/strong>\u00a0Keitumetse Mokgope<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a04 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n \n
\n Mr Christopher Lese graduates with a Diploma in Civil Engineering, celebrating excellence while inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Mr Christopher Lese walked across the graduation stage at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) on 15 September 2026 to receive his Diploma in Civil Engineering, he celebrated more than a personal academic achievement. He marked the successful completion of a demanding journey that saw him balancing full-time employment, leadership responsibilities within the engineering profession and a commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What sets Mr Lese’s story apart is that, while working towards his qualification, he was already making a meaningful contribution to the built environment sector and helping young people discover opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, Mr Lese served as Secretary of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Vaal Branch and Lead of SAICE STAR Vaal, where STAR stands for Success Through Academic Readiness. Through these roles, he helped drive initiatives aimed at promoting engineering careers, professional development and STEM education among school learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His achievements demonstrate that graduation is not only the culmination of years of study, but also the continuation of a journey dedicated to creating opportunities for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Mr Lese, the passion for civil engineering began at a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom a young age, we get exposed to all the work engineers put in, from the roads we drive on, the buildings we walk in, to the bridges we love and admire for their structural integrity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That curiosity grew into a desire to understand the science, innovation and technical expertise behind the infrastructure that supports communities and economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Determined to gain practical experience, Mr Lese volunteered with engineering companies and industry professionals before progressing to work-based learning opportunities and eventually securing full-time employment in the sector. This allowed him to gain valuable industry exposure while continuing his studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balancing work and university responsibilities proved to be one of the most demanding aspects of his journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorking while studying can be difficult,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academic assessments, reports and practical assignments often competed for attention with workplace responsibilities that included project supervision, reporting and contributing to day-to-day engineering operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many students pursuing ambitious goals, Mr Lese encountered setbacks along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe sleepless nights studying for tests, the failures along the way and the challenging modules would make you want to give up,\u201d Mr Lese recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these challenges, he remained focused on his goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSeeing my colleagues graduating is enough of a motivation to want to catch up and achieve my goal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While pursuing his studies and career, Mr Lese also dedicated significant time to community-focused engineering initiatives. Through SAICE STAR Vaal, he worked to expose learners to STEM subjects and introduce them to career opportunities in civil engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the programme’s highlights were the Aqualibrium Water Competition, where learners applied mathematics, science, teamwork and problem-solving skills to practical water-distribution challenges, and the Bridge Building Competition, which encouraged learners to design and construct model bridges using engineering principles and creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative also provided career guidance at schools such as Mthombolwazi Primary School, helping learners understand the importance of STEM subjects and the opportunities available within the engineering profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Mr Lese, these initiatives are about more than career awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are about helping young people see how engineering can be used to solve real-world challenges, develop communities and contribute to the country’s future growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he celebrates his graduation, Mr Lese is already looking ahead to the next chapter of his academic and professional journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGraduation is a significant milestone, but it is not the end of the academic journey,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The achievement has motivated him to explore further academic opportunities and continue growing within the engineering profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His advice to students facing challenges is straightforward yet powerful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlways keep your eye on the goal and do not let anything distract you from your goal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Mr Lese, graduation represents far more than earning a qualification. It reflects years of perseverance, professional growth and service to the broader engineering community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many graduates aspire to make a difference after completing their studies, Mr Lese has already begun doing so. By balancing employment, academic commitments and leadership within the engineering profession, he has shown that success is not only measured by personal achievement but also by the impact one has on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he embarks on the next stage of his career, his story serves as a reminder that the strongest foundations are not only built in concrete and steel, but also through determination, leadership and a commitment to developing future generations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catch the full experience on Flickr <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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