Honouring Academic Excellence: Business School Academic Graduates 14 Students
The 2025 academic year has been a productive one for Professor Bibi Chummun from the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L), whose unwavering dedication and commitment have guided 14 students to graduation.
Among the graduates are two doctoral candidates, and 12 master’s students (co-supervised) – all of whom benefited from Chummun’s mentorship, scholarly guidance, and unwavering dedication to academic excellence.
Reflecting on the achievement, she expressed immense pride and fulfilment. ‘It feels really great. This milestone inspires me to continue guiding more students at the Business School and to contribute even more to the GSB&L,’ she said.
Her supervision approach is characterised by a strong sense of discipline, leadership skills and a personalised focus, ensuring each student receives individualised attention tailored to their research topic.
Research under her supervision addressed both practical and societal challenges. For example, Master of Business Administration (MBA) student and UKZN staffer, Ms Nokubonga Mathimba focused on “Enhancing Collaboration Between Academic and Professional Staff to Improve Deliverables within UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science”. Fellow MBA candidate Ms Chante Shongwe examined how “Customer Experience Influences Satisfaction at the Road Accident Fund in Durban”.
At doctoral level, Dr Sabelo Gwala’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) study proposed “A Conceptual Self-insurance Framework to Address Cyber Risks in South Africa’s Municipal Electricity Distribution Sector” – an area of growing national relevance.
Chummun noted that students with industry experience often demonstrated a deeper understanding of practical issues, enriching their study. She also observed a shared desire among many students to apply their findings in their industries, and workplaces, extending their work’s impact beyond academia.
Supervising a large cohort came with challenges – including unpredictable schedules, load shedding and connectivity issues. However, she emphasised the importance of flexibility, consistent communication and structured tools such as progress reports and supervision agreements.
This is what some of her students had to say:
‘My heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable guidance throughout my PhD journey. Prof Chummun’s expertise, mentorship, and unwavering support played a pivotal role in my growth as a scholar. Her influence not only shaped my research, but also instilled in me the confidence to pursue academic excellence.’ – Dr Sabelo Gwala.
‘I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Prof Chummun for her outstanding guidance and consistent support throughout my studies. Her encouragement and motivation were key to completing my dissertation. I feel truly fortunate to have had her as my supervisor.’- Ms Chante Shongwe.
‘I’m deeply grateful for Prof Chummun’s steadfast support during my dissertation journey. Her constructive feedback and insightful suggestions, always delivered with warmth and positivity, helped me overcome difficult moments. Her timely feedback and encouraging reminders were essential to my progress.’ – Ms Nokubonga Mathimba.
‘Prof Chummun played a vital role in ensuring I completed my dissertation on time. She is knowledgeable, assertive, and supportive – offering meaningful guidance from start to finish. Her attention to detail and consistency and timely feedback made her an absolute pleasure to work with.’- Dr Cedrick Mathisa – DBA.
‘Nothing compares to the inspirational presence of an instructor like her in a student’s academic journey. Prof Chummun has been incredibly encouraging and consistently motivated me throughout the programme. Her knowledge and leadership provided a priceless model for our own careers.’
– Mr Sibusiso Nzimande – MBA.
‘It is with sincere appreciation that I acknowledge Prof Chummun’s remarkable impact on my academic journey. She was more than a supervisor – she was a source of inspiration, consistently guiding me with practical insight and strong industry knowledge. Her no-nonsense, results-driven approach, combined with her belief in my potential, helped me push through even the toughest phases. I am proud to have benefited from her exceptional mentorship.’- Mr Avikar Rajcoomar – MBA.
‘I am truly grateful for Prof Chummun’s invaluable support and guidance throughout my dissertation. Her insights, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback made a meaningful difference every step of the way. I sincerely appreciate her time, patience, and dedication.’- Mr Vusumuzi Mthembu – MBA.
‘Prof Chummun has a natural ability to equip her students with the skills needed to succeed in any research project. What once felt like a daunting task became manageable through regular interactions and her sound technical guidance. Her accessibility and dedication reflect a true passion for student development.’
– Mr Vishay Heeralal – MBA.
Looking to the future, Chummun hopes to mentor more emerging academics in postgraduate supervision and to engage in more collaborative supervision projects within the GSB&L. ‘Although this milestone includes three co-supervisions, I look forward to working with more colleagues. Collaboration helps us grow, share ideas, and improve the experience for our students,’ she said.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
