Despite their busy schedules and managing between their careers and studies, both presidents of the Post Graduate Association at the Durban University of Technology have obtained their Master’s degree.
DUT Post Graduate Association President, Kunle Oparinde and Deputy President, Akhona Ngcobo, graduated during today’s (Thursday, 1 September 2016) DUT Spring Graduation Ceremonies at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, DUT Steve Biko Campus.
Ngcobo graduated for her Master’s Degree in Information and Corporate Management. The hardworking Ngcobo, who hails from Pietermaritzburg, had been juggling her time between her Post-graduate Diploma in Project Management with Mancosa, her job as an Investment Co-ordinator at Msunduzi Municipality and doing her Master’s degree. Ngcobo also has a Diploma and Bachelor of Technology degree in Public Relations Management.
“I have had to reset my priorities because I was committed to completing what I have started which was my postgraduate diploma with Mancosa and my Master’s degree with DUT. My family, friends, partner and the Postgraduate Association committee have been very supportive. They all understood when I couldn’t attend meetings, family gatherings or friends’ functions”, said Ngcobo.
Discussing her research topic, Ngcobo said she chose something aligned with women empowerment and breaking barriers of culture and gender within the workplace. “My study aims to find out what are these barriers that women face and how they can be eradicated. I want to see more women in leadership positions and it must not just be about gender quotas but because they deserve to be there,” she said.
Meanwhile, Oparinde graduated for his Master’s degree in Language Practice. Hailing from Nigeria where he completed his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English at the University of Ilorin in 2012.
Oparinde’s research study focused on the impoliteness in language use from a verbal and non-verbal perspective while looking at his indigenous language Yoruba in comparison to IsiZulu. “When choosing my case study, I was inspired by paucity of academic literature on impoliteness and insult related discourse. I chose this topic because I had seen countless research on politeness on languages but nobody wants to research impoliteness and insults,” he said.
Oparinde is currently busy with his Doctorate in Language Practice. “I just want to thank everyone who has been part of our journey; in terms of our studies, the post-graduate office, PGA committee and our families and loved ones,” he said.
Both Ngcobo and Oparinde affirm that education is the best legacy that anyone can have in the world. “It may be difficult and discouraging at some point but dedicating and committing yourself to education will never disappoint,” said Oparinde.
“To young women, your career and education is one thing that will never wake up and leave you”, said Ngcobo. “You can lose a partner, family, money and even friend, but the best investment is in your education and yourself. Yes, it may be difficult to do everything but never be discouraged by circumstances or anyone. Run your own race. My favourite quote is ‘The roots of education are bitter but he fruits are even sweeter’,” said Ngcobo.
Other post-graduate association executives that graduated include Simphiwe Dube who obtained his Master’s Degree in Management Sciences and Grace Temiloluwa Agbede, for her Master’s in Language Practice.
– Noxolo Memela
Pictured: Akhona Ngcobo, DUT Post Graduate Association Vice-President and Kunle Oparinde, DUT Post Graduate Association President, shortly after their graduation ceremonies.
