GK Scholarships 2021: Kieron Baart

Golden Key is happy to introduce Kieron Baart, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Kieron is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Pretoria and plans to specialize in Aeronautics.

“Receiving this award, especially in these uncertain times, humbles me greatly,” Kieron says. “The money herein not only does wonders for cutting the burden of my ever-increasing tuitional expenses but will go towards funding my fourth-year Engineering research project at the University of Pretoria.”

Kieron is extremely honored not only to receive this award but also, to be a member of Golden Key.

“However, even more imperative than the award prize itself, is the privilege associated with being part of a community that does more,” Kieron shares. “No matter whether you are from the concrete jungle of New York City, or in my case, the slightly backward, strange and lovingly peculiar streets of Grahamstown, South Africa, each of us has the ability to be better, do more and work harder.”

Kieron’s ability to be better, do more and work harder becomes apparent in his extensive volunteer experience.

“Since September of 2020, I have been a volunteer with the Aircraft for Rhino and Environmental Defense (AREND),” Kieron mentions. “This is a university-sponsored program that specializes in building, researching and testing of drones for anti-rhino poaching purposes. I have also completed community service for Brookshaw Old Age Home in Grahamstown, where I helped set up a COVID ward for an outbreak and refurbished old oxygen machines for the frail care.”

In addition to Kieron’s volunteer efforts, he serves as an intern and teaching assistant.

“I have been working as an intern for Brayfoil Technologies–a tech startup that specializes in wing morphing technology to be utilized on wind turbines– since January 2021,” Kieron reveals. “Additionally, I have served as a teaching assistant for the University of Pretoria in the module MGC 110, Graphical Communication since January 2020.”

Along with Kieron’s work and volunteer experience, he has received many awards for his achievements.

“I received the 2018 IEBT Top 1% Problem Solving (2018) Award, 2018 IEBT Top 1% Critical Thinking Award, 2018 Academic Honours, Dean’s List for Mechanical Engineering in both 2019 and 2020,” Kieron mentions. “And as of 2021, I have 23 distinctions achieved out of 27 modules written.”

Kieron plans to continue his hard work as he finishes his degree and pursues his career.

“I only see this award compelling me to do just that, [work harder], and perhaps, in time, I will be able to make a much-needed positive contribution to the place I call home,” Kieron explains. At the end of the day, it’s the community with which we reside that we work for. Thank you, Golden Key.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Kieron; we wish you the best of luck finishing your Mechanical Engineering degree!