Dr Selline Atieno Oketch shares her life experiences starting from her childhood in rural Kenya to earning a doctorate and becoming a faculty at CUEA. Her journey exemplifies the pitfalls and hurdles one encounters in higher education. Through this column, she tells an inspiring story of her transition from being a young student who found a good mentor to a struggling but persevering PhD scholar to an understanding and caring supervisor.
In this article, Berthilde reflects on her PhD journey, highlighting the challenges she faced, particularly studying in English as a French speaker, and how a supportive supervisor helped her overcome them. She emphasizes the critical role of a supervisor in guiding students through their academic journey. Despite the isolation often felt during PhD studies, she argues that a dedicated supervisor and committed student can ensure successful and timely completion.
Dr. Sophie Marques shares her inspiring academic journey, rising from a family of illiterate parents to earning a PhD and later a post-PhD at UCT, eventually becoming a Senior Lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch. She reflects on the challenges of being the only woman in the mathematics department and how she navigated them. Dr. Marques also discusses her experiences in supervising students, addressing their challenges, and guiding them towards success.
Dr. Tlou Raphela shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to academic success, emphasizing the importance of a supportive supervisor and a dedicated student. She highlights the negative impact of toxicity and unethical practices on PhD outcomes and institutional reputation, urging both students and supervisors to uphold ethical standards. Concluding with a call for prioritizing mental health, Dr. Raphela offers valuable insights for anyone pursuing a PhD.
