Africazine:
A seasoned South African academic has achieved a significant milestone in education.
Professor Mncedisi Maphalala received a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education – Curriculum and Instructional Studies from the University of South Africa (UNISA) during the spring graduation ceremony on 5 October 2026. His research focuses on fostering self-directed learning in Open, Distance, and e-Learning environments, addressing challenges faced by modern distance learners.
Professor Maphalala’s Journey to a PhD
Professor Maphalala’s doctoral research, supervised by Professor Tebogo Mogashoa, is titled “Fostering Self-Directed Learning in an Open, Distance & e-Learning (ODeL) Environment in South Africa.” This achievement comes exactly 20 years after he earned a Doctor of Education (D.Ed) from the University of Zululand in 2006.
His return to doctoral study was not aimed at career advancement but was a strategic move to build a focused body of research in Self-Directed Learning (SDL) and contribute to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
Key Insights from the Research
Professor Maphalala emphasizes that while ODeL environments offer flexibility, they also require students to be independent and accountable. Many students struggle to balance these demands, which his research aims to address.
The thesis explores how higher education institutions can create learning environments that promote autonomy, engagement, and resilience among students.
Next Steps in Academic Contributions
- Continued exploration of methodologies in education.
- Engagement with the academic community on findings from the research.
- Potential development of new programs based on research insights.
Education is a lifelong journey, as demonstrated by Professor Maphalala’s commitment to advancing learning methodologies.
