"Unisa is a university of choice because of its international recognition and flexibility"

Choosing the right university for a doctorate is a monumental decision. For Dr Bisini Naidoo, Unisa stood out owing to its internationally recognised degrees and its flexible distance learning model, allowing her to study from anywhere. This convenience was essential as it enabled her to pursue her academic goals without uprooting her life.

Dr Bisini Naidoo

What truly sets Unisa apart are its unique opportunities for students, particularly through face-to-face online teaching and learning webinars. During such sessions, Naidoo received the guidance and support she needed during her doctoral journey. The webinars were highly beneficial, especially those on administrative and academic matters.

One faculty member who significantly impacted her decision to do her PhD at Unisa was the Research and Ethics Committee Chair. The three-day workshop on research methodology offered by the Chair and others convinced her that high research standards were maintained at Unisa.

Naidoo initially connected with Unisa through a symposium on municipal–university partnerships, closely related to her study. The academic who had organised the event, a proponent of community engagement, agreed to supervise her research. The co-supervisor, who eventually became Naidoo's primary supervisor, shared her interest in community development, further solidifying her choice.

Unisa's well-resourced library provided a cornerstone for her research. The library's up-to-date literature was crucial for her qualitative research, and the subject librarian and local librarians were instrumental in sourcing relevant materials.

Naidoo was inspired to enrol in a doctorate because of South Africa's commitment to social justice, as outlined in its constitution, national development plan, and sustainable development goals. Her work coordinating the partnership between Unisa and the eThekwini Municipality, where Social Work Service-Learning interns provided holistic services as part of a low-cost housing programme, also played a significant role. Her experiences highlighted the need for integrated service delivery and inspired her dissertation on multidisciplinary partnerships between higher education institutions and learning cities through service learning.

Her research aimed to explore various stakeholders' understanding, experiences, and perspectives on these partnerships. Her findings led to the development of a framework promoting integrated service delivery at the municipal level that is in line with the social development approach. One key finding was the fragmentation of community services, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary stakeholder forum to render holistic, integrated services.

The journey was not without challenges; however, her passion for service learning and support from her family and mentors kept her going. Her husband, with his forensic and academic background, was a constant source of encouragement.

She is proud of her discovery that service learning, as a structured pedagogy, effectively links classroom learning to real-world practice. The collaboration between higher education institutions, municipalities and communities has the potential to transform service delivery.

Her advice for those considering a doctorate is to choose a topic you are passionate about, read extensively and ensure you have family support. Balancing studies with personal commitments is possible with careful planning and time management.

Looking ahead, Naidoo plans to disseminate her research findings through conference publications and presentations. She will continue facilitating service-learning partnerships and promoting integrated service delivery to improve community outcomes.

Unisa's support system, from the insightful feedback of her supervisor to the encouragement from the Service-Learning Forum, played a crucial role in her success. Her doctoral journey has enhanced her perspective on the importance of structured community engagement in higher education, preparing her to drive meaningful change in her field.

*By Jo Cossavella, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region