Unisa staff member earns Master’s Degree with distinction while balancing work and research

Balancing the demands of a full-time job with postgraduate studies is no easy task. It requires careful planning, personal sacrifice and the determination to keep going, even when competing responsibilities become overwhelming.

For Terence Tshikosi, a 49-year-old adviser in the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) College of Law (CLAW), that commitment has paid off after he completed his Master of Commerce (MCom) in Business Management with distinction (cum laude). His achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a demonstration of the important contribution professional and administrative staff can make to research and knowledge production.

Tshikosi credits his success to what he calls the four Ds: discipline, determination, dedication and devotedness, supported by perseverance and the encouragement he received from colleagues, supervisors and Unisa’s Professional Research Committee (PRC). His journey has strengthened his belief that academic excellence is achievable even while managing demanding professional and personal responsibilities. Tshikosi’s master’s research examined the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the growth and development of South Africa’s automotive industry.

His study explored how foreign investment can contribute to industrial expansion, job creation, technology transfer, skills development and economic growth. It also investigated the extent to which international investment can strengthen the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of the automotive sector, an important contributor to South Africa’s manufacturing economy. “I was motivated by my interest in international business and economic development, particularly how global investment can drive growth, innovation and industrial expansion in South Africa’s automotive sector,” he explained.

“The automotive industry serves as an excellent example of how international partnerships and investment can drive innovation and industrial expansion in developing economies like South Africa.” His research speaks to broader national development priorities, particularly the need to strengthen industrial capacity, attract productive investment and create sustainable employment opportunities. It also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth, and SDG 9, which focuses on industry, innovation and infrastructure.

These priorities are closely linked to South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, which recognises industrial development, investment and skills enhancement as important drivers of inclusive economic growth. For Tshikosi, the research provided an opportunity to connect academic theory with economic challenges facing the country. “My research journey has strengthened my analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, while deepening my interest in strategy, international business and organisational development,” he said.

As an adviser in CLAW, Tshikosi supports academic and administrative initiatives, gaining experience in higher education administration, research support and stakeholder engagement. Working in an academic environment has exposed him to Unisa’s culture of research, lifelong learning and professional development, which further encouraged him to pursue postgraduate studies. However, balancing his responsibilities at work with the demands of a master’s dissertation required considerable commitment. He developed realistic research milestones and dedicated evenings, weekends and approved study leave to completing his academic work.

There were periods when exhaustion and self-doubt threatened his progress, but he remained focused on his goal. “Overcoming those challenges taught me patience, resilience and self-belief,” he reflected. Looking back, Tshikosi acknowledges that he could have benefited from establishing a more structured study schedule earlier and seeking assistance sooner when his professional and academic responsibilities became difficult to manage. Nevertheless, the experience reinforced his belief that perseverance is essential to academic success.

Tshikosi has praised the support he received from Unisa’s Professional Research Committee, describing it as instrumental in helping him manage his postgraduate journey. The committee’s support included the approval of study leave, allowing him to dedicate uninterrupted time to his dissertation. “One of the most valuable forms of support was the approval of study leave, which gave me dedicated time to focus on my dissertation without the competing demands of my administrative role,” he said. “This opportunity allowed me to engage deeply with my research, meet critical milestones and maintain the level of academic rigour required for postgraduate study.”

Beyond the practical assistance, Tshikosi said the encouragement he received demonstrated Unisa’s commitment to investing in the academic development of professional and administrative employees. The support motivated him to persevere through challenging periods and maintain the standards required to complete his qualification with distinction. He encouraged colleagues considering postgraduate studies to take advantage of the professional development opportunities available within the institution.

“I would strongly encourage other professional and administrative staff to make use of their services. The guidance and development opportunities provided can significantly enhance one’s postgraduate journey, as it did for me,” he said. His experience highlights the importance of institutional structures that create opportunities for employees to strengthen their research capabilities while continuing to contribute to the university’s operations. It also reinforces Unisa’s commitment to lifelong learning and staff development, supporting SDG 4, which promotes inclusive, equitable quality education and learning opportunities throughout life.

Tshikosi believes his achievement challenges the perception that meaningful research contributions are limited to academic staff. His experience demonstrates how professional and administrative employees can use postgraduate research to deepen their expertise, strengthen their professional contributions and develop solutions to challenges beyond their immediate working environments. For him, pursuing a master’s degree was not simply about obtaining another qualification. It was an opportunity to expand his knowledge, develop research skills and contribute to the university’s culture of academic excellence.

He believes that the analytical and critical-thinking skills gained through his studies will continue to strengthen his contribution to Unisa and his broader professional development. His achievement also demonstrates how universities can benefit when they encourage employees across different occupational categories to pursue research and further education. Reflecting on his academic journey, Tshikosi attributes his achievement to four principles that guided him throughout his studies: discipline, determination, dedication and devotion.

Combined with perseverance, these qualities helped him remain committed to his research despite the challenges of balancing work, study and personal responsibilities. His advice to colleagues considering postgraduate studies is to begin with a clear goal, develop a realistic plan and make use of the support available to them. “Start with a clear purpose and remain committed to that goal throughout the journey; plan realistically and effectively so that you make steady progress; and use the support structures available, such as those from the PRC,” he advised. He also emphasised that academic progress requires patience and the willingness to adapt when circumstances change.

Rather than viewing setbacks as failure, he encourages aspiring postgraduate students to regard them as opportunities to learn, improve and strengthen their resolve. Having completed his master’s degree with distinction, Tshikosi is already looking towards his next academic challenge.

His ambition is to pursue doctoral studies and eventually earn what he refers to as the “red gown”, a symbol of completing a PhD. “My master’s experience has inspired me to pursue the red gown, my PhD studies, and encourage others to believe that it is possible to achieve their goals too, despite personal circumstances or demanding workload and personal responsibilities that one may have,” he said.

He hopes his achievement will inspire colleagues and others who may be hesitant to pursue further education because of their professional or personal commitments. “I am motivated by the belief that education can transform lives and create opportunities for individuals and communities. Above all, I strive to inspire others through dedication, resilience and a commitment to excellence,” he concluded. For Tshikosi, earning his master’s degree with distinction is both the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of another chapter in his academic journey.

His story serves as a reminder that professional responsibilities need not stand in the way of academic ambition, particularly when personal commitment is supported by an institution that values learning, research and employee development.

For more information: Unisa Professional Research Group (PRG)

* By Rivonia Naidu-Hoffmeester, Professional Research Committee (PRC) Marketing and Communications Convener