Former Miss DUT, Dr Lungile Ngcobo, has proven that she is not only beautiful but also exceptionally intelligent after attaining her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business and Information Management at the DUT Autumn Graduation Ceremony held at the Indumiso Campus Hall in Pietermaritzburg.
Once admired for her elegance and confidence as Miss DUT, Dr Ngcobo has now distinguished herself in academia, proving that beauty, intelligence and determination can coexist powerfully.
Dr Ngcobo is currently a lecturer at DUT in the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics within the Department of Finance and Information Management at the Midlands Campus. She aims to continue advancing her academic journey and is presently enrolled in a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, a programme designed to equip aspiring academics with the knowledge and skills required for the higher education profession.
“Attaining my PhD was more than an academic milestone; it was the fulfilment of a promise I made to myself in 2016 when I completed my Diploma in Management. From that moment, every step I took was intentional, each one bringing me closer to a dream I refused to let go of,” expressed Dr Ngcobo.
Ngcobo commenced her studies at DUT in 2012 with a National Diploma in Management. In 2017, she advanced her qualifications by enrolling for a Bachelor of Technology in Management. In 2021, she progressed to a Master of Management Sciences in Administration and Information Management.
In 2023, after completing her master’s degree, the Willowfontein resident made a firm decision to begin her PhD journey and complete it in record time.
“What may appear to be a short journey on paper came with immense sacrifice. I left behind my life in the North West province, returned to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, and made the difficult decision to walk away from my job in order to place myself in an environment where I could fully focus on this goal,” she said.
Ngcobo also shared that she was honoured to be a recipient of the Hlomisa Skills Academy scholarship, an opportunity that not only supported her academic journey but also reinforced her commitment to excellence and perseverance.
“This support played a meaningful role in enabling me to pursue my studies with greater focus and determination. There were long days, quiet struggles, and moments when I had to sacrifice time with my family. Yet, through it all, I held on to my purpose. I continuously reminded myself why I started. This PhD is not just mine; it is a testament to every difficult choice I made in pursuit of a dream that once felt so far away, but is now finally my reality,” she added.
Giving insight into her PhD dissertation, Ngcobo explained that her research focused on the effective distribution of quality information within higher education institutions, which plays a foundational role in shaping student decision-making, fostering engagement and influencing overall student satisfaction.
“This study directly addresses a scholarly gap by rigorously examining the intrinsic quality of information generated and distributed by student-led organisations. It further outlines the core attributes of information quality, including accuracy, integrity, consistency, completeness, validity, timeliness and accessibility,” she highlighted.
Ngcobo revealed that the findings of her study exposed significant variations in student leaders’ understanding of information quality and the practical quality assurance measures implemented within student organisations. Furthermore, the study proposed strengthening collaborative partnerships and training initiatives to cultivate communication and leadership capabilities.
As a first-generation student, Ngcobo emphasised that her pursuit of education was deeply personal and transformative.
“For me, education was never just about earning a qualification; it was about creating a better future for myself and my family. Education represented liberation, a way to break cycles of disadvantage and unlock new opportunities. Whenever I faced financial, academic or emotional challenges, they strengthened my determination rather than discouraging me.
“Without a clear roadmap, I had to navigate the system on my own, which built resilience and independence. Ultimately, my journey became more than academic; it became a mission to change my life and uplift those around me,” she said.
As a DUT lecturer, Dr Ngcobo aspires not only to share knowledge, but also to mentor and inspire students, particularly those from disadvantaged and first-generation backgrounds.
Pictured: Dr Lungile Ngcobo.
Photography: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Waheeda Peters
