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As graduation season approaches, we celebrate our Vossies who dared to build their futures with purpose. Meet Ashalen Govender, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (Robotics) graduate, pursuing his passion for robotics and AI.
Born and raised in Lenasia, South of Johannesburg, Ashalen remembers his love for technology and helping others. He fondly recalls time spent with his grandmother, who grew up on a farm and taught him how to care for plants. Another fond memory that inspired his love for technology was watching Star Wars as a child, which sparked a dream to use innovation to make a real difference.
“My passion mostly comes from Star Wars,” says Ashalen. “When I saw the droids, I knew I wanted to build something like that – something that was helpful, smart, and able to interact with the world. That fascination grew into a real passion for robotics and AI.”
As Ashalen immersed himself in technology, he realised how technology is transformative in under-resourced areas. “Over time, I realised how powerful technology can be, particularly in underdeveloped areas where resources are limited, such as mines and other rural areas. That's what shaped my goals. I don't just want to build cool tech, I want to build tech that matters,” he explains.
Ashalen always knew what he wanted to pursue, but timing wasn’t on his side. Many institutions had closed applications; however, Eduvos’ multiple intakes made it easier to secure his future.
“When I was applying, most institutions were full and not accepting any more students,” says Ashalen. “That's when I came across Eduvos, and it felt like it was meant to be. Eduvos gave me a chance to study exactly what I wanted to study; no other place was offering robotics the way that Eduvos was. Most other institutions required you to either start with a mechatronics or electrical engineering qualification.”
Starting his studies during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic meant Ashalen had to adapt to online learning. Despite the challenges, he embraced the flexibility and found a supportive academic environment at Eduvos.
“My studies have been a mix of ups and downs,” Ashalen admits. “Online learning isn't as easy; you need to be self-motivated. But I had amazing lecturers who believed in me and pushed me further than I thought I could go. That support carried me through.”
Ashalen also acknowledges his parent's role in his journey, especially during the highs and lows of online study. Their encouragement, he says, helped him stay focused and finish strong.
Reflecting on his achievements brings a sense of pride for Ashalen. One of the standout projects he worked on was a team project with his peers Cameron Petersen and Avril Oldjohn, where they designed a smart plant monitoring system called BB1. BB1 monitors soil moisture levels in real-time and waters plants only when needed, helping conserve water while keeping the plants thriving. It also uses sensors for moisture, temperature, and light, all feeding into a central system running on a Raspberry Pi and Arduino.
This project was more than just an academic milestone; it was deeply personal.
“The inspiration for the project came from my grandmother,” shares Ashalen. “She passed away about seven years ago. She was the first person who taught me how to plant crops by hand. This project honours her. It’s about making things better for future farmers, especially in rural areas. I often wonder how I could have helped her back then, but now I can help others going forward.”
Looking ahead, Ashalen is committed to a future of meaningful innovation that positively impacts people. He hopes to enhance BB1 by including AI capabilities in the design to serve more complex farming environments.
His advice to prospective students and his peers is simple: “Don't just work hard. Work smart. Stay consistent, especially when things feel impossible, you've got potential even when you don't see it. Remember why you started and hold onto that passion,” says Ashalen.
As someone deeply passionate about robotics and eager to apply his knowledge in real-world environments, Ashalen is ready to take the next step, collaborating with forward-thinking teams and industry leaders to help shape the future of technology.
Ready to begin your Eduvos journey? We have three more intakes for 2025, you can enrol today and start your studies as soon as 5 May. Still in matric? Pre-enrol for 2026 and get a jump start on your future.
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