BA ISAGO UNIVERSITY GRADUATES 274 STUDENTS AT ITS 17TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
Cheers and jubilation were abuzz on Friday the 28th of April 2023, when BA ISAGO University conferred Masters, Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates on the Institution’s Class of 2023 at the BA ISAGO Convention Centre. Comprising a group of 274 individuals, the students graduated in various disciplines under the School of Graduate Studies and Research, the Faculty of Commerce, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law and Para-Legal Studies and the Faculty of The Built Environment, Arts and Science.
In his welcome remarks, BA ISAGO University President, Dr. Ruramayi Tadu, said the journey has been long, difficult and arduous, but it has been worth it; evidently with rich, rewarding and fulfilling life changing experiences for students.
“This year, the very first School of Graduate Studies and Research cohort will be graduating with their Master’s Degrees in various disciplines. This is testament to the commitment that the University has made to grow its Postgraduate offerings.
The University has since introduced market responsive Postgraduate Programmes, namely Master
of Science in Ecotourism, Master of Science in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance, Master of Urban Planning and Design and more Postgraduate Programmes that are awaiting approval, which include Master’s Programmes and PhD Programmes,” said Dr Tadu.
The Graduation Ceremony, which was the 17th edition since the Institution’s inception, saw forty students being conferred with Certificates, thirty seven with Diplomas, one hundred and seventy seven with Degrees and twenty with Masters Degrees. Out of the twenty Masters Degrees, eight of them were BA IS
AGO University Staff Members, fully sponsored by the University’s Board of Directors.
Delivering his Keynote Address, the Guest of Honour, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Mr Oupa Masesane said the Graduation Ceremony is a great milestone for graduates, not only in an academic journey, but also in taking an imperative step in preparing for the future.
“I am happy to learn that the University continues to develop Postgraduate Programmes and will soon introduce more Master’s Degree Programmes, as well as introduce PhD Programmes, that I believe will take BA ISAGO University to greater heights.
This Country expects and needs quality graduates who are fit for purpose. I’m proud to say BA ISAGO has continued to make investments in quality education, technology, programmes and quality management. To you graduates, work hard and leave a footprint wherever you go from here because you are ambassadors of this University. Parents, continue supporting your children as they enter the workforce and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and the region,” said Masesane, further paying homage to the University Academic Staff for their contribution towards the success of the graduates.
To put the icing on the cake, the University further rewarded students who excelled in their respective programmes with individual awards. As a result, the overall best student went to Ms Jacqueline Maseko, a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying graduate, who went home with P6 500 which was sponsored by E&E Boutique Guest House, the University Managing Director, the University President, Professor Rodreck Mupedziswa and Ms Amagolo Gabasiane.
Ms Dorothy Gasseler received P1250 sponsored by Professor Lone Ketsitlile and Dr Bolatumi Oyegoke. Ms Onneetse Bulayani also received P1250 sponsored Dr Bolatumi Oyegoke and Professor Vanessa Allen Brown from the University of Cincinnati.
Ms Tebogo Thedi received P1500 sponsored by Century Office Supplies. They were all rewarded for being best students in their respective Masters Programmes.
In Degree Programmes, Ms Osego Lentswe walked away with P13 000 sponsored by Security Systems and Liberty insurance, after emerging as the best student in Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Risk Management and Insurance. Ms Debra Ngwenya, the best student in Bachelor of Arts in Law and Public Administration walked away P1000 sponsored by Century Office Supplies.
In Diploma Programmes, winners emerged in Occupational Health and Safety Management, Law and Real Estate in the names of Mr Karabo Rakadi , Ms Obenne Sodaba and Mr Kopo Maradung respectively, who walked away with P1000 each sponsored by Lesedi Motors and Century Office Suppliers. Mr Ronaldo Jose De Souza, Mr Tshepiso Wellio and Mr Obakeng Nyandeni summed it up in Certificates Programmes receiving P1000 each from Certificate in Business Management, Certificate in Real Estate and Certificate in Law respectively, which were sponsored by Lesedi Motors.
Giving a testimony of her journey with the Institution, Ms Maseko said the past four years had been a rollercoaster ride, but her hard work and perseverance paid off.
“I’m terrified and excited at the same time for what the future holds for me and all of the graduates. I started my studies in 2018, but prior to that I wanted to pursue either Nursing or Criminal Justice. That however, didn’t go as planned and I didn’t know of this Institution and let alone Quantity Surveying. I was only enlightened about all this at the Career Fair and I applied as BA ISAGO became the only University to accept me for my studies.
I was not happy about this programme, but I had to draw inspiration from the fact that an optimist saw opportunities in every difficulty,” said Maseko who further saluted the University for providing a conductive learning environment throughout her studies.
In closing, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Morvyn Nyakudya congratulated the graduates for a job well done. “Graduates your hard work and that of your lecturers is evident and your success is theirs too.
To the mentors and Academic Staff, you have delivered by producing proud graduates that we are celebrating today,” he said.
The Graduation was sponsored by Century Office Supplies, Security Systems, Liberty Insurance, E&E Boutique Guest House, Lesedi Motors, O3 Beverages, Bidvest, BA ISAGO University and various BA ISAGO University Staff.
Dr Nyakudya extended the University’s profound gratitude towards all who contributed resources towards the success of the 17th Graduation Ceremony.