The first session of the Faculty of Management Sciences ceremony saw five Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences: Specialising in Public Administration being bestowed at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Celebratory Autumn Graduation Ceremonies. It took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban on Saturday, 16 July 2022.
DUT’s Dr Navitha Ramroop could not contain her excitement on graduating for her PhD.
“I’m very excited, I have this fantastic feeling inside that it finally paid off in this degree. Having to work so hard in the past four years finally come to fruition. I could not be more proud of myself. I am so thankful for all the support, even from DUT,” she said excitedly.
The title of her dissertation is: Challenges and Best practices in the Use of E-Learning for Teaching and Learning at Uots-A Case Study.
“Higher education institutions (HEIs) have re-designed their curricula to merge existing teaching and learning content with technological practices and applications. Although not a compulsory exercise within HEIs initially, the COVID-19 pandemic led to HEIs being forced to embrace online technologies for teaching and learning,” she said.
Dr Ramroop explained that this study focussed on the challenges and best practices in the use of e-learning technologies for higher education, with the Durban University of Technology being the case study subject.
“I am hoping to implement my strategies that have been put forward. I will be forwarding it to the DUT community and hoping that its taken forward,” she added.
Other PHD doctorates conferred were Dr Asiel Elias Kubu. His dissertation is: Sustainable Human Capital Strategy for White Youth in A Transformed South African Navy.
Dr Brian Tazvitya Makore, his thesis is titled: Building a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence Enhancing Shona Traditional Court Systems.
Dr Mwamba Patient Nkuanga, his thesis is titled: Exploring the Strategic Approaches to Prevent and Combat Xenophobia in South Africa-Case Study of Refugees and Asylum Seekers Living in Chesterville (Durban). Last but not least, Dr Thomas Kimathi Nyaga, his dissertation is titled: Monitoring and Evaluation of Peacebuilding Programmes Among Civil Society Organisations in Kenya.
DUT Faculty of Management Sciences Deputy Dean: Dr Melanie.Lourens, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof Fulufhelo Netswera, congratulated all graduates on their achievement.
“Often people would ask what does the qualification bring for you. Your first qualification is a very special one, your second, your third, your fourth, your fifth, your sixth, and the list goes on, simply because knowledge is never-ending. Take this qualification that you have gained for all the hard work you have put in. You are a very, very special class of 2021. You have survived the pandemic, you moved to online learning, you have embraced how to deal with assessments on a continuous basis and now you find yourself here today. You should be extremely proud of yourselves,” she said.
She also conveyed to the graduates that the second challenge that they have got with their qualifications is realising the honour it gives one as a graduate., which is to give back to others.
Pictured: DUT’s Dr Navitha Ramroop.
Picture Credit: Sandile Nkosi
Waheeda Peters