Swiss research exposure for creative student leader

Unisans with the Brazilian delegates.

Treasurer of Unisa’s Limpopo Regional Student Representative Council (RSRC), Trust Chinyama, is among a group of thirteen student researchers who earned enough credits for a research trip to represent Unisa at the University of Basel in Switzerland from 2 to 11 April 2022.

Joining doctoral and master’s students on an overseas research visit became feasible for Chinyama after winning the 2021 Unisa Research and Innovation Student Showcase in the category for honours programmes. Featuring presentations of student researchers across Unisa’s colleges, the showcase allows registered honours, postgraduate diploma, master’s, and doctoral candidates to promote their research work in an impactful and effective way.

Trust Chinyama (Unisa RSRC Treasurer)

Committed to give this research trip more focus as an aspirant researcher, Chinyama recognises the difference this great opportunity will make in his academic career. He says, ‘This trip is already assisting me to network and link up with like-minded researchers and innovators. It also exposes me to business prospects and start-ups from the University of Basel as well as Switzerland at large.’

Enrolled currently for his postgraduate qualification from the College of Human Sciences (CHS), Chinyama had completed his Environmental Management Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 2019. In addition, Chinyama’s authored and presented academic papers are The relationship between littering and students behavior: case study of Capricorn and Effects of tillage and crop residues management in improving water-use efficiency in dryland crops under sandy soils.

Chinyama believes there is a need for change in the environment and he intends making a huge difference in his field of study. ‘I am passionate about research – it gives me valuable information and keeps me on my toes,’ says Chinyama who previously held the position of speaker in the Limpopo student parliament. For Chinyama, lifelong learning is a rewarding experience and he hopes to inspire his community through education someday.

In conclusion, Chinyama says that his desire to be a good role model and relevant in the community drive him to study further.

*By Lesego Chiloane-Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement