UKZN Instructional and Learning Designer Maps Out His Career All the Way to PhD
Former Social Work lecturer turned Instructional Designer at UKZN has graduated with a PhD.
Dr Zwelisha Mfishi’s doctoral study, titled: “A Mixed-Methods Study on the Impacts of Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Envisioned Emancipatory Social Work Education at a South African University”, explored the various pedagogies used in teaching and learning, an important aspect for instructional designers.
Mfishi said: ‘My study examined the relevance and applicability of the teaching methods used during the pandemic. How we teach, and the pedagogies we adopt, are all central to the instructional learning design space.’
The four-year study adopted an advanced mixed-methods approach. Examiners highlighted its methodological rigor and the depth of its integration noting its contribution to a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of pandemic-era pedagogies, and their implications for post-pandemic teaching and learning practices.
Mfishi, who lectured in UKZN’s Social Work department for three years, said he worked as a PhD student under the Monitoring and Evaluation stream of the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP), before transitioning to the University’s Teaching and Learning Division as an Instructional Designer.
He acknowledged his mentor Dr Sibonisile Zibane – a Senior Social Work lecturer and Co-founder of the MA’AT Institute – for supervising his studies from undergrad where he earned his degree cum laude all the way to his PhD. ‘Dr Zibane was one of the few people who believed in me and pushed me to pursue my doctoral studies,’ said Mfishi.
He also thanked Dr Nolwazi Ngcobo and Dr Maud Mthembu for their unwavering support in his academic and professional career. ‘As part of the University’s internationalisation efforts, Dr Mthembu gave me the opportunity to be part of an international exchange programme in Germany for a month, in 2021, an experience that I will never forget.’
With his PhD achieved, Mfishi has his sights set on his research being published with him moving through the ranks to a professorship level. ‘I’m not sure what the future has in store for me, whether it be working with students at a grassroots level or continuing in the sphere of teaching and learning as an instructional designer- but I am ready for the next challenge.’
Having grown up in Lusikisiki, a rural town in the Eastern Cape, Mfishi reflecting on his journey: ‘The road to earning a PhD and working at a university wasn’t always clear, but with mentorship, perseverance, and faith, I’ve come to realise that your beginnings don’t have to define your end. I hope my journey inspires others from similar backgrounds to dream beyond what they can see around them.’
He thanked the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning Division, and in particular Co-Directors Professor Nyna Amin and Professor Fayth Ruffin for their support.
Zibane said she had always known that there was something different about Mfishi from the moment she engaged with him in her first-year class. ‘Our Social Work classes are quite big, but Zweli made it a point to stand out from the beginning through his commitment and hard work.
‘I always tell my students that development is multi-dimensional and lifelong and Zweli has been able to showcase that through his ability to think beyond the current landscape, adapt, as well as change whether in academic or professional settings.’
As his employer at the MA’AT Institute and supervisor for his PhD, Zibane said: ‘I remember asking Zweli to scrap his whole PhD research and start again when he was at Chapter 5. Other students would have been upset, but Zweli took up the challenge by exploring both quantitative and qualitative data, when applied human sciences rely more on qualitative data.’
She added, ‘He truly is a remarkable young man and destined for greatness.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photograph: Supplied
