Former Tshisimani College of Education rector Happy Epraim Takalani Ramakhanya, who received his doctoral degree in curriculum studies from the University of Venda over the weekend, says his degree is relevant to his scope of work and will benefit educators.

Ramakhanya, who recently tied the knot with Makhado Mayor Mavhungu Luruli, is the centre manager at Makhado Continuing Professional Development Centre. He was one of the more than 500 students who received their degrees, diplomas and certificates during the September graduation ceremony held on Friday at the university´s auditorium.

The chancellor of the University of Venda, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, attended the event. A total of 48 certificates, 17 diplomas, 422 undergraduate degrees, 45 honours, 18 masters and 4 doctorate degrees were awarded.

In his remarks, Univen Vice-Chancellor Prof Peter Mbati said he was excited to announce that close consultations between Univen and the Minister of Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, were bearing fruit. He said the minister had approved new enrolment and efficiency targets for the university. Clear targets of the university’s contribution in scarce skills areas, including engineering, life and physical sciences, human health and initial teacher education will be enumerated.

“Our postgraduate outputs at Masters- and PhD-level have also been considerably jacked up," he added. "As part of our differentiation strategy, we have plans to grow in areas of engineering and human health sciences. We must also strengthen the areas of rural development and poverty alleviation, indigenous knowledge systems and African languages,” he said.

Ramakhanya said as an educationist, he had observed the difficulties faced by teachers and pupils at schools over the years. "As a centre here we are tasked with the training of educators in commercial subjects in the whole province and I feel that my research will give solutions to educators. I have found that educators are failing in assessing their learners for effective teaching, because they are using the old methods and not using the new ones which are learner-centred," he said.

The degree took him four years of part-time study. "It was not easy, but worthwhile. With the skills that I have acquired, I will now apply my knowledge with confidence, and this is not the end. I will be writing articles for Univen," he said.