Phindile Shinga
NESP Scholar, UFH
The journey of being a NESP Scholar has been nothing short of transformative, offering me a myriad of development opportunities that have not only enriched my academic knowledge, but also profoundly impacted my personal and professional growth.
One of the most significant aspects of my journey was being selected as one of the five (5) scholars in the France Cohort. This opportunity allowed me to engage in international academic environments, broadening my perspective and enhancing my research skills in ways I could have never imagined. This experience came with its own set of challenges. We had to leave for France during the COVID-19 Pandemic. There was also a language barrier issue. The sudden disruption due to the pandemic was a test of resilience and adaptability, as we had to navigate the uncertainties of continuing our studies and research under unprecedented global circumstances.
A major highlight of my NESP journey was the Academic Internship year at the University of Fort Hare, which spanned from 2022 to 2023. This year was designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing me with the opportunity to apply my academic knowledge in a real-world context. During this period, I produced a research paper that contributed to my field, collaborated with esteemed colleagues, and even co-supervised Honours students. These experiences not only honed my research and teaching skills but also gave me a deeper appreciation for the collaborative nature of academic work. It also allowed me to connect with a network of like-minded individuals who shared my passion for knowledge and innovation. The NESP scholarship provided a platform for me to delve deeper into my research interests, explore new avenues of inquiry, and contribute to the academic community. These connections have been invaluable, leading to collaborative projects and discussions that have enriched my research and broadened my perspectives.
Chumasande Dapula
NESP Scholar, UFS
During the NESP programme, I experienced incredible growth and development in the process of emerging as a well-developed young scholar. In the first two (2) years of the programme, I was enrolled for a Master of Commerce with specialisation in Business Management at the University of the Free State. My interest in women entrepreneurs led me to undertaking my study titled “Work-family conflict and the performance of women-owned businesses: the role of work-family centrality”. A major challenge I encountered along my journey was obtaining the large number of respondents to complete my questionnaire. NESP broke this barrier by covering the costs of my fieldworkers.
As a NESP intern, I got the opportunity to assist my supervisor in a peer mentorship group called She Believe she founded during COVID. I gained vast experience in areas of presenting classes, formulating study material, and setting and marking assessments, supervision, and guiding honours students through the mini-dissertation process for the fulfilment of their Honours degree in Business Management. I attended an international academic conference in Namibia, 24 – 27 September 2023, where my supervisor, Prof Brownhilder Neneh (Vice Dean: Research, Engagement and Internationalisation), and I presented our paper based on my Masters dissertation. The experience gave me exposure to an academic conference resulting in me having a publication under my name.
NESP has provided me a well-rounded experience and exposure as an emerging scholar which would have taken many years to achieve on my own. I am very grateful and blessed to have been part of Phase 1 of the programme. I have been acknowledged as the first to have completed NESP at the university of the Free State which would have not been possible without Prof Neneh’s dedication to nurturing me and providing me with all the knowledge and support, the Centre for Graduate Support that kept in constant communication with me, enquiring about my progress each step of the way, as well as my parents, who have always believed in me and invested so much to ensure that I have access to the best opportunities and I excel.
