CCMS Celebrates the Success of PhD and Master’s Graduates

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UKZN’s Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS) PhD and master’s graduates were lauded for attaining their degrees during a virtual celebration organised by the Centre.

CCMs boasts a record number of 11 PhDs and five master’s graduates for the year.

Professor Ruth Teer-Tomaselli, Professor Keyan Tomaselli, Professor Donal McCracken, Professor Eliza Govender and Professor Sarah Gibson supervised the graduates.

Teer-Tomaselli said: ‘We are really proud of our graduates, and we wanted to acknowledge and honour them in a special way through this celebration. By achieving their degrees, their careers as scholars have now begun.’

Dean and Head of the School of Applied Human Sciences, Professor Matshepo Matoane congratulated both CCMS staff and graduates for their dedication and hard work. ‘To the graduates, this is one of your greatest milestones. Go forth, enter the world of academia and inspire greatness.’

A video, created by one of the graduates Dr Marion Alina, was shared during the event that showcased the offerings of CCMS, students’ journeys and the rigorous and critical process of research undertaken by students.

Being part of CCMS not only taught Dr Phiwe Nota and Dr Yonela Vukapi the value of hard work but also the importance of collegiality. Working with this understanding has led to them achieving within the College of Humanities and at international conferences. ‘Among the proudest moments in my seven years at CCMS was receiving all of my postgraduate degrees - honours, master's and now PhD - under my supervisor Professor Eliza Govender,’ said Nota.

Vukapi said the ‘CCMS is an academic space, yet it was “a home-away-from-home” for most of us. I treasure being given the opportunity to grow through practical experience and being nurtured by senior lectures and professors.’

The graduates were thankful for the support they got at CCMS. Through sharing knowledge and learning from astute academics, they all pledged to continue on their journey of growth within academia and their communities.

The list of graduates are below:

•    Brenda Bukowa (PhD)

•    Damien Tomaselli (PhD)

•    Len Rosenberg (PhD)

•    Tigere Muringa (PhD)

•    Marion Alina (PhD)

•    Yonela Vukapi (PhD)

•    Phiwe Nota (PhD)

•    Marchant van der Schyff (PhD)

•    Rhoda Abiolu (PhD)

•    Parkie Mbozi (PhD)

•    Henri-Count Evans (PhD)

•    Benjamin Kazule (Master of Social Science)

•    Sima Bokolo (Master of Social Science)

•    Noluthando Fandane (Master of Social Science)

•    Oluwabunmi Okelola (Master of Social Science)

•    Micha Michele Augustine (Master of Social Science)

The event closed with a musical number by CCMS alumnus, vocalist and UKZN staffer, Ms Thulile Zama.

Words: Melissa Mungroo

Photograph: Supplied