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We were honored to have Dr. Mduduzi Colani Shongwe, an alumna from Eswatini, deliver a keynote speech on "Navigating the PhD Journey and Life Beyond the Dissertation Defense" on December 8, 2025."

 

Dr. Shongwe walked us through her own PhD path, sharing his "nuggets with wisdom" with us, from being teachable and leaving your titles at the door, to choosing courses wisely, finding study buddies, and following your advisor's guidance. Dr. Shongwe also encouraged publishing during the PhD, attending conferences, starting collaborations, and even trying reviewer roles early to build competence. 📚✨

 

Dr. Shongwe provides a practical timeline: build a solid foundation of coursework and literature in the early stages, grounding yourself in coursework, starting scoping or systematic reviews; conduct a systematic or categorical review and complete the proposal in the middle stages, then collect and analyze data, and finally focus on producing the manuscript and preparing for the defense.

 

Dr. Shongwe also reminded us to prioritize our physical and mental health, manage culture shock, strike a balance between life and work, and plan for life after the defense, including job hunting, grant writing, promotions, and family planning. Last but not least: Believe in yourself! You're more capable than you think. 💪🌍

 

A big thank-you to Dr. Shongwe for generously sharing his experience and practical advice with our students. Your experiences, advice, and encouragement have left many of us inspired and better equipped to prepare for the road ahead. 🙏🎓