College of Science, Engineering & Technology

Department of Mining Engineering celebrates first-ever PhD graduates

Share

It is graduation season at the University of South Africa where postgraduate students and their supervisors reap the benefits of the many years of hard work and commitment through the awarding of qualification degrees. The joy of celebration is more palpable amongst this year’s graduates, supervisors and their respective families, as the university has recently returned to physical graduation ceremonies, with restricted numbers and strict observations of COVID-19 protocols. This means that graduates get to walk the stage and their supervisors (in the case of doctoral degree graduands) can proudly read citations of their doctoral theses.

The Department of Mining Engineering at the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, has even more reason to celebrate as this year (2021) marks the very first time, since its inception, that the department has produced doctoral degree graduates within the field of engineering. The recent introduction of the Doctor of Philosophy: Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) at Unisa has made earning a PhD in an Engineering discipline a reality. What is even more fulfilling for the Department of Mining Engineering, and particularly its Chair of Department, Professor Francois Mulenga, is that one of the first three doctoral degree graduates is younger than 30. In addition to this, the three doctoral graduates are all South Africans by birth. This means that these graduates can be retained to contribute a significant number of years to the knowledge economy and the country’s economic stability, which requires a high level of skills, passion, and energy.

Clockwise from left: Dr Fhatuwani Sengani, Dr William Van der Walt, Prof Francois Mulenga and Dr Robert Khumalo

The three new doctoral graduates from the Department of Mining Engineering are Dr Fhatuwani Sengani (PhD with specialisation in Rock Engineering), Dr Robert Khumalo (PhD with specialisation in Minerals Engineering) and Dr William van der Walt (PhD with specialisation in Rock Engineering). The three doctoral degree candidates have published more than seven research papers combined, during their time of study. Another interesting fact is that currently, there are very few South Africans who are trained experts in rock engineering and there is a great demand for trained South African experts in this field. This already gives a good indication that that these recent graduates will be highly sought after.

When chatting to Professor Mulenga as a chair of department and PhD supervisor about the recent successes of his department, he displayed nothing short of exuberance as he reflected the journey that he has travelled with his PhD students. “Dr Sengani has been a very good student to work with. I enjoyed the critical thinking attitude he consistently displayed,” said Professor Mulenga. “Sengani took advantage of the comments that I used to make in his work to identify possible research articles, which is why he was able to produce five original scientific articles in highly reputable journals,” he added.

“Professor Mulenga has taught me to work independently and to be able to judge the quality of my research as well as to take independent decisions”, said Dr Sengani. “Moreover, I have learnt the art of good student supervision through my interactions with Professor Mulenga,” he added.

The director of School of Engineering (Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola) and other Chairs of Departments within the school, joined in celebrations of this outstanding achievement made by the Department of Mining engineering and its postgraduate students.

In closing, Professor Mulenga mentioned that his hopes for all his doctoral graduands are that they will become NRF rated, grow in stature as researchers, and strengthen their academic profiles through collaboration.

* Compiled by Dr Nozipho N Gumbi, Acting Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Share

Publish date: 2021-12-06 00:00:00.0

Unisa Shop