Crippling car crash didn't put him off
NOT even a car accident that left him unable to walk could stop Percy Mashinge from achieving his goal to uplift his community.
A freak accident in 2003 left Mashinge wheelchair-bound, but his spirit is indomitable.
He was going to Stanger Hospital to do research on an eye-care clinic that had been opened in the hospital to help people with eye problems when he was involved in a collision.
Doctoral candidates
Mashinge is one of 40 doctoral candidates that will be graduating today in Durban.
They will be awarded entry-level certificates that will prepare them in their pursuit of doctorate of philosophy (PhD) degrees.
"From a practical perspective, I am no longer able to do what I used to," said Mashinge.
"But I am still much involved in the educational side of things.
"I feel great. I feel privileged that I was able to participate in a programme that will enable me to continue serving the community."
The group will be joining South Africa's academic elite.
The 40 students from around Africa have completed the entry-level flagship Research Capacity Initiative hosted by the South Africa-Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Developments (SANPAD).
Recent research shows that South African universities are faring poorly in the PhD stakes.
In spite of a government target of an annual 6000 doctoral graduates by 2018, the 2008 figures show less than 1200.
When measured against comparative economies, South Africa's PhD statistics lag significantly and its overall research accounts for just 0,55percent of the world's scientific literature.
"Getting a knowledge economy into top gear depends on developing high-end skills," said Dr Anshu Padayachee, chief executive of the SANPAD.
"We believe we have a good case for why universities need to look to external service providers to assist them in jacking up their PhD and research outputs."
Close to 300 candidates have gone on to complete their PhD at just about every South African university after completing this programme, which boasts a zero percent dropout level.
Unique feature
In addition, 94 of the candidates completed their PhDs within three to four years, as opposed to the national average of seven to eight years.
"The programme's unique feature is a triangular model involving the doctoral candidate, university supervisor and the programme facilitator," saidPadayachee.
Nokhanyo Mayaba, 34, from Eastern Cape, said: "Everything in life is possible.
"I have developed and improved as a researcher through this programme. I cannot wait to start my PhD."