By: Luyanda Mzobe
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Faculty of Management Sciences celebrated academic achievement and perseverance at its Spring Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, October 14th. TUT’s Spokesperson Dr. Phaphama Tshisikhawe earned a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), alongside students who reached major milestones in their academic journeys.
photo by: Amahle Dlamini
TUT’s Spokesperson Dr. Phaphama Tshisikhawe
Dr. Tshisikhawe’s doctoral research focused on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into digital marketing, examining universities of technology in Gauteng, including TUT and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT).
Describing the qualification as a life-changing achievement, Tshisikhawe said the journey had transformed her both personally and professionally. “This doctorate, it’s a DBA, a doctorate in business administration. It means the world to me. It has transformed me in and out. I don’t think I could ever be the same person again,” she said. She described completing the doctorate as a major milestone, highlighting the growing relevance of artificial intelligence in digital marketing and the importance of understanding its integration within higher education institutions.
photo by: Amahle Dlamini
Dr. Phaphama Tshisikhawe being honored with her Doctorate
The ceremony also recognised the achievements of master’s graduates Rico and Precious, amongst others, whose journeys reflected determination, resilience and the value of continued education. Rico, a Master of Management Sciences in Entrepreneurship graduate, celebrated his fifth qualification after beginning his academic journey at TUT a decade ago.
photo by: Thokozani Biyana
Dr. Phaphama Tshisikhawe with her Supervisor Dr. Vinessa Naidoo (On the right)
He acknowledged that completing his dissertation came with challenges, but said the support of friends in academia helped him navigate the process. “I would say the dissertation gave me a bit of ups and downs, but other than that, I managed to conquer, especially having friends that are academic people,” he said.
Rico also expressed gratitude to everyone who assisted him with collecting data for his dissertation, acknowledging the role of support networks in completing postgraduate research. For fellow graduate Precious, the achievement marked another chapter in a long-standing relationship with the institution. She enrolled at TUT in 2011 for her National Diploma before completing her BTech in 2020, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma and, ultimately, a master’s degree.
photo by: Thokozani Biyana
Reflecting on her postgraduate journey, Precious described the master’s programme as particularly demanding, despite having enjoyed much of her earlier academic experience at the institution. “Throughout my Master’s Degree, I’ve ran, I’ve raced, I’ve walked, I’ve crawled, I stood up. But ja, I’m here,” she said, capturing the perseverance required to overcome the challenges of postgraduate study.
Her experience highlighted the determination needed to balance academic demands and remain committed to completing a qualification, even when the journey becomes difficult. The graduates’ achievements underscored the significance of the Spring Graduation Ceremony as a celebration of academic progress, research and personal growth.
photo by: Thokozani Biyana
Spring graduation celebrations
From Dr. Tshisikhawe’s research into artificial intelligence and digital marketing to Rico and Precious’s stories of perseverance, the graduates demonstrated the different paths through which higher education can contribute to professional development and academic advancement.
