College of Economic & Management Sciences
From humble beginnings to academic leadership
In a remarkable tale of determination and resilience, Prof Sugandren Naidoo, the newly appointed Chair of the Department of Operations Management, shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to academic leadership. His personal experiences, including working as a newspaper delivery boy during his schooling years, instilled in him a drive for self-improvement and academic excellence.
Prof Sugandren Naidoo
After a decade in the Operations Management Department, Naidoo emphasises its commitment to catering to students interested in various fields such as safety, quality, project and office management. Additionally, the department engages in work studies, supply chain network design and office management. He highlights their readiness to collaborate with industry, government, academia and society. Naidoo, appointed for a three-year term, succeeds Prof Tshilidzi Nenzhelele, who now leads the School of Public and Operations Management.
Born and raised in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal, Naidoo's early years were marked by challenges that would later shape his path to success. Despite facing financial hardships, he seized the opportunity to work as a newspaper delivery boy, a role that not only provided him with a source of income but also ignited a passion for learning and personal development.
"It was during those formative years as a newspaper delivery boy that I learned the value of hard work and perseverance," Naidoo reflects. "Every morning delivery was a reminder that with dedication and determination, I could overcome any obstacle," he says.
His relentless pursuit of academic excellence led him to pursue higher education, eventually earning a Master of Business Administration degree. Naidoo's thirst for knowledge and commitment to continuous improvement propelled him to further academic achievements, including completing his doctorate through the Academic Qualification Improvement Programme at Unisa.
He aims to ensure that the developing and developed Programme Qualifications Mix (PQMs) gain momentum and that Unisa's offerings apply in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the digitalised era to maintain relevance in social justice and education.
Naidoo believes in the transformative power of education. "My goal is to ensure that the Department of Operations Management remains at the forefront of academic excellence, equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond," he adds.
* By Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Economic and Management Sciences
Publish date: 2024/04/23
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