Postgraduate Open Days Inspire Aspirations Beyond the Degree

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The College of Law and Management Studies (CLMS) at UKZN hosted successful Postgraduate Open Days 2025 in Pietermaritzburg and Durban, drawing hundreds of students with an appetite for advanced study and career growth. 

The event showcased diverse and robust postgraduate offerings as well as a powerful exchange of stories, strategies and possibilities shared by accomplished alumni who have been part of the journey.

Designed in a dual-format, the Open Days featured an exhibition of postgraduate programmes in the School of Law and the newly merged School of Commerce, as well as programmes in the Graduate School of Business and Leadership. 

Participants had the opportunity to explore study options, interact with admissions personnel, and gain practical insights into postgraduate life - bridging the gap between academia and the working world. 

There were also opportunities to get involved in alumni-led panel discussions facilitated by dynamic UKZN alumnus Mr Skhulile Ndlovu, who is a real estate entrepreneur, business consultant and a former banker. His expertise in strategic innovation and in-depth understanding of Higher Education added thoughtful structure to the programme. 

Ndlovu opened proceedings with encouragement for those in attendance to look at a degree as not only a qualification, but a catalyst for personal reinvention. 

“You being here today is not just an academic pursuit, it is a decision to invest in yourself professionally, intellectually and personally,” he said. 

In Pietermaritzburg, panellists included Government official Dr Nkosenye Zulu, Deputy Director-General in the Office of the Premier, who holds a PhD in Public Administration. Zulu stressed the relevance of his academic journey in his leadership in governance.

“My postgraduate studies gave me the academic grounding and strategic lens which I now apply daily in my leadership role within Government,” he noted. 

Chartered accountant and Managing Director of Maitland and Associates Inc, Ms Caryn Maitland CA(SA), shared how advanced studies gave her a distinct edge in business leadership. 

“There is a discipline that comes with research and academic writing - it sharpens your thinking, and in the boardroom, that clarity is everything. My qualification gave me more than just technical knowledge - it transformed the way I solve problems and make decisions,” she said. 

UKZN’s Professor Debbie Vigar-Ellis of the Discipline of Marketing and Supply Chain Management and administrator Ms Nokukhanya Mthethwa gave insights by breaking down the application process, demystifying entry requirements and encouraging aspirants to prepare not only academically, but also mentally, for the rigor and rewards of postgraduate life. 

The Durban session offered equally valuable insights where Ms Sarah Njapha of the Applications Office guided prospective students on key deadlines, documentation, and funding support options. 

The panel featured Ms Thandiswa Ndawonde, who leveraged her Master of Commerce in Supply Chain Management to lead large-scale procurement processes, while Ms Reshmee Dinanath, with a Master of Laws in Business Law, Mr Kavesan Pillay and Ms Diana Ramouthar, both Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates, reflected on the balance of studying at the same time as managing demanding careers.

Beyond the formal sessions, the Open Day was a powerful networking sphere where participants mingled with alumni, academics, and each other - gaining advice and exploring postgraduate programmes with their future in mind from the CLMS. 

Words: Ayanda Radebe

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini