Dr Anisha Ramsaroop celebrating her PhD achievement with her husband Rakesh and their children, Rishav (right) and Pranav.PhD for Industrial Psychologist and HR Specialist
A passion for Human Resources Management earned Industrial Psychologist and Human Resources Specialist, Dr Anisha Ramsaroop, a PhD during one of UKZN’s Spring Graduation ceremonies.
The Relationship between Career Plateaus and Career Stages of the University of KwaZulu-Natal academics was the title of Ramsaroop’s thesis under Professor Mogie Subban’s guidance.
As an academic in the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance, this topic is close to Ramsaroop’s heart since the phenomenon of career plateauing is rife and debilitating from a productivity point of view. She said, ‘Career plateauing contributes to low morale, job dissatisfaction and high employee turnover. As an HR professional, it was necessary to identify and eradicate obstacles that hinder employees progression and motivation. Hence, through my research, several obstacles were identified and recommendations for all relevant stakeholders are presented to minimise and eradicate this phenomenon.’
This study will benefit the Higher Education sectors as it focused on the relationship between career plateaus and career stages of UKZN’s academics across all five campuses. In particular, the UKZN Human Resources Division will gain insights from the findings of Ramsaroop’s thesis which could enable the University to look at various strategies to minimise the effects of career plateauing.
On her achievement, Ramsaroop said, ‘I am elated and eternally grateful to the National Research Foundation (NRF), the College of Law and Management Studies and the University Research Office in providing financial support for lecture relief and writing retreats. This support has enabled me to bring to fruition the vision of the College and the University in advancing and supporting academics, especially women, on the PhD initiative. This support has been a phenomenal enabler in helping me advance and in the culmination of the PhD.’
She admits that her PhD journey was not smooth as she lost her dad at the inception stages of the PhD and her mother before the completion of the thesis. However, the support from her family, colleagues and supervisor enabled her to forge ahead. ‘Their demise left me with a profound sense of loss and subsequent realisation they would not be sharing this academic milestone with me. My parents played a pivotal role in my academic journey by providing support and taking care of my children as I progressed with my academic endeavours. My husband Mr Rakesh Ramsaroop, a Senior Protection Officer at RMS at the Westville campus and my children, Rishav and Pranav have provided phenomenal support, unconditional love, encouragement and patience during my academic career. I could have never advanced academically without my husband’s overwhelming and selfless support,’ she said.
Ramsaroop presented parts of her thesis at the 5th Business Management Conference which was hosted by the College of Law and Management Studies in August 2018 and she scooped the Emerging Researcher Award to the value of R20 000 which will enable her to further her academic endeavours.
Commenting on Ramsaroop’s achievement Subban said, ‘I am really proud of Dr Ramsaroop who rose above all circumstances and personal challenges to achieve this amazing milestone in her life. She has been diligent and forthcoming with the deadlines placed on her. My experience of supervising her has been a pleasant one, and she has made an invaluable contribution to the fraternity in human resource management and development. She obtained excellent reports on her work which is worthy of publication.’
Words: Hazel Langa
Photograph: Supplied