For Dr Sarathiel Chaipa, education has always been about making a meaningful contribution to society. His journey, from a young Computer Science graduate, cybersecurity expert and former Convenor of the Unisa Alumni Chapter in Zimbabwe, is a testament to resilience, lifelong learning and commitment to serving humanity.

He describes his wife and children as the foundation upon which his academic and professional success was built. Their patience and support sustained him through the many challenges of balancing family life, a demanding career and doctoral studies. His Christian faith also gave him the strength to remain focused even during the demanding moments of his journey.

His academic journey commenced with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Zimbabwe. He continued by earning a BSc Honours, a Master’s degree in Computing and, most recently, a Doctor of Philosophy through Unisa. He also completed an MBA at the University of Zimbabwe, demonstrating his passion for continuous learning and leadership.

His career has been equally distinguished. He has served as Director of Information and Communication Technology at both a university and a national regulatory authority in Zimbabwe before taking on leadership responsibilities within the health sector. His expertise has extended beyond national borders through consultancy work with international organisations, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, where he contributed to digital health and information systems initiatives.

Despite these professional responsibilities, Chaipa remained committed to achieving a lifelong dream of attaining a PhD. His cybersecurity research was inspired by the need to protect organisations and societies from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As governments, businesses and individuals become more dependent on digital technologies, safeguarding information has become essential to economic stability, national security and public trust.

His doctoral research focused on one of the most complex challenges in cybersecurity: insider threats. Chaipa examined the risks posed by trusted individuals who already have authorised access to organisational systems. His research developed strategies to help organisations prevent, detect and manage these threats, contributing valuable knowledge to an increasingly important field of study.

Completing a PhD while working full-time and fulfilling family responsibilities was no small feat. Chaipa describes the journey as demanding and, at times, overwhelming. However, he credits his family's support, his supervisors' guidance and his faith for helping him remain focused.

For Chaipa, Unisa has been much more than the institution where he earned his qualifications. It has been a lifelong academic home. Having completed three qualifications through the university, he speaks with great appreciation about the flexibility of Unisa's open distance and e-learning model, which enabled him to pursue his studies without sacrificing his professional or family commitments. He also acknowledges the financial support he received through Unisa bursaries and the exceptional guidance provided by his supervisors throughout his academic journey.

His connection with the University extends beyond graduation. As the former Convenor of the Unisa Alumni Chapter in Zimbabwe, he worked to strengthen relationships among graduates and promote Unisa’s values. He believes alumni are lifelong ambassadors who have a responsibility to mentor students, build professional networks, support fundraising initiatives and contribute to the continued success of their alma mater. For him, giving back to Unisa is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Now that he has reached this milestone, Chaipa is looking towards the future with the same sense of purpose that has guided him throughout his life. He plans to continue conducting research in cybersecurity, teaching and mentoring future generations of students, and providing consultancy services that strengthen information security across organisations. More importantly, he hopes to inspire others to believe that no dream is beyond reach when pursued with determination and discipline.

His advice to current and future Unisa students is both practical and personal. He encourages students to remain focused on the reason they began their academic journey, to embrace the flexibility offered by open-distance learning and to make full use of the support systems available to them. Above all, he reminds students that success is built through consistency rather than perfection, and that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth.

* By Cilla Boucher, Alumni Relations Officer, Department of Institutional Advancement