Ghanaian academic garners Unisa PhD

Dr Elias Kwaku Megbetor

Dr Elias Kwaku Megbetor, a Unisa PhD graduate who hails from Ghana, attended his graduation ceremony on 4 April 2022 at the ZK Matthews Great Hall. For his thesis, titled An Economic Analysis of The Ghanaian Pension System, Megbetor evaluated his country’s pension system in correspondence with the World Bank recommendations and other institutions from Chile, Mauritius, and Singapore.

While all his previous qualifications were obtained at the University of Ghana, studying in South Africa virtually made perfect sense for Megbetor because of Unisa’s open, distance and eLearning (ODeL) education offerings. He says that Unisa stood out among other universities during his search for a university that offers an economics PhD degree. ‘I searched for a flexible opportunity that would enable me to continue my education until I discovered Unisa through a colleague,’ explains Megbetor.

Access to education for mature students

He further says that eLearning enabled him to keep his job while studying. ‘This is because it is not easy to obtain paid study leave from my workplace.’ Megbetor is a lecturer at the Wisconsin International University College in Accra. He continues, ‘The ODeL approach also meant I could still be with my young family while pursuing advanced studies. My search revealed that Unisa has a formidable faculty, and widespread programmes across various disciplines and areas. The tuition fees are comparatively moderate, and it has a very secure electronic system.’

Talking about the challenges of being an international distance student, Megbetor says the initial stage of registration was hard. ‘I was not able to access the system to register for my proposal stage,’ he says. ‘I did not know my supervisor could be of help.’ Megbetor says he combed the university’s website and landed on the email address of Professor Steward Mothata, the university’s Registrar. ‘I informed him of my predicament and thankfully he responded immediately by instructing the appropriate department to open the system for me since I already had a student number. Other minor problems were later resolved by my supervisor,’ he says.

Dr Elias Kwaku Megbetor and Prof Theo van der Merwe wearing his traditional Ghanaian robe

A smooth student-supervisor relationship

Professor Theo van der Merwe from the College of Economic and Management Sciences remarks that the student-supervisor relationship was easy. ‘Dr Megbetor is a very cordial and diligent student. He was eager to receive my feedback and to address important issues raised. I tried to provide him with feedback on the submitted chapters immediately to assist him to complete his studies as soon as possible.’

Megbetor says that he appreciates the support he received from his supervisor.  ‘The contribution of my supervisor towards the completion of my PhD was immense. His suggestions, patience, professionalism, encouragement, and motivational words bore testimony to the commitment of Unisa's faculty towards students' academic success. He would ensure that I am detailed, consistent, and write without contradiction and ambiguity. He is simply the best supervisor.’  

Other qualities and skills Megbetor gained from his distance learning and warm student-supervisor relationship with Van der Merwe were self-confidence, consistency, attention to detail, an enquiring mind, adherence to professional ethics, making suggestions rather than impositions, and clear communication, as well as the need for determination, perseverance, and motivation to complete a task.

Their student-supervisor communication depended on digital platforms. Though they never met physically, Van der Merwe says, ‘Meeting Megbetor in person on graduation day was a wonderful experience since he is a very likeable individual.’ Another ‘aha’ moment for Van der Merwe was when Megbetor addressed him in his language. He says: ‘When I contacted him to congratulate him with his results, he addressed me in his return e-mail as his ‘beloved professor’ in Afrikaans (My geliefde professor)’, which was a very moving gesture that I will forever cherish.’

Their student-supervisor connection was re-confirmed through African gifting as a way of appreciation. ‘Megbetor brought me a beautiful traditional Ghanaian robe as a gift that he gave me before the graduation ceremony – a gesture I will never forget. It was a very rewarding experience to work with such a student,’ Van der Merwe concludes.

Future plans and message to fellow students

Megbetor’s academic plans are to apply for postdoctoral studies. ‘I will make my new knowledge visible in my writing, and in corporate and social life.’ To other students interested in distance learning, Megbetor says, ‘My advice is that they should use the advantage of the rich faculty Unisa is endowed with to upgrade themselves to the fullest capacity. I have noticed that supervisors are always willing to help students to develop their potential. I therefore entreat all students to tap into this opportunity for their personal development.’

In conclusion, Megbetor says, ‘I, without any reservation, recommend Unisa to any student contemplating a place of excellence and knowledge acquisition. I assure such individuals of a productive result based on my personal experience.’

*By Lesego Chiloane-Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement