Dr Pakiso ‘Parks’ Moses Makhoahle, Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Technology, joined Central University of Technology in August 2009, as a Lecturer in the Biomedical Technology programme, one of the programmes in the Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. At the time, Dr Makhoahle had just completed his master’s degree in Medical Microbiology (M.Med Sc) from the University of the Free State.

Makhoahle is currently a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Technology/ Medical Lab Science and Assistance Residence Manager (ARM-Graduandi House). “Being a lecturer allowed me to grow and know what the world is about. Seeing students graduate is the best achievement of my life, and all this starts in class and tests. I know they will save the world because my modules (Medical Microbiology) have been the topic of pandemic and current epidemic interests, for example, COVID-19, Cholera, mumps, measles, swine flu, masks, decontamination, disinfection, sanitisers etc. They are impeded within my curriculum. Diseases are bad, but students are fortunate to be exposed to what they are learning at the same time.”

As the ARM at Graduandi House, he ensures that the learning and living spaces are conducive and safe. “Residence offered me an opportunity to know the students struggle out of the beautiful walls of the classrooms. Daily, we deal with cases of needy students, and academic and life struggles they face, including Gender Based Violence (GBV). In general, both positions at the same time complete a true academic to understand a complete student life.”

Highlights since joining CUT

Shortly after joining the CUT family, as part of his lecturing role scope, he was seconded to form part of a Community Engagement project team called CUT Health Awareness Group.

The primary mandate of the group was to clear the myths around swine flu aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, spreading and control measures. The flue panic was fuelled by the fact that South Africa was hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In 2011 he was nominated by his peers for the first Vice-Chancellor Excellence Award for a research paper and received the award. In 2012 he presented his master’s project in Berlin, Germany. In 2014, he was again nominated and for the second Vice-Chancellor Excellence Award under the Community Engagement Category, which he won and the following year, he was nominated yet again for the same awards in the Early Career in Teaching and Learning Category, which he also won.

Makhoahle said through all the years at CUT, he wore several leadership caps serving in multiple committees namely, Chairperson of the FHES Prestige Research Day Committee, Chairperson of FHES Space Utilisation Committee, Faculty Timetable representative at institutional level, acting Head of Department: Health Sciences, Chairperson of Biomedical Technology (elect) for Advisory committee, Represented the CUT at the National Working Committee of Universities of Technology (UoTs), Formed part of Biomedical Technology programme recirculation team for the new Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences degree, Acted as programme selector for best and suitable prospective students from 2015-2018.

In 2017 he joined the residence life and was proudly among a team who facilitated in the naming of the Graduandi House, an on- campus residence for senior students. He was further appointed as an assessor of M.Med.Sc thesis for Durban University of Technology (DUT), moderator of Medical Microbiology exit level for both Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and National Health Teaching College, Lesotho, Moderator for Honours in Medical Microbiology for the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) as well as the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS).

In 2021 he obtained his Doctoral degree in Health Sciences from the CUT and currently working was promoted to Senior Lecturer position.

“During the COVID-19 era, I was one of the staff members who played a role in hosting 27 international students at the residence, facilitated repatriations of German, Namibian and Zimbabwe international students, organised Free State Department of Health testing for those who were sick at the time, thanks to Dr Logan Munsamy for his support. I was also part of the COVID-19 residence support team for those affected and on the brink of a nervous breakdown. I worked alongside Dr P Tondi, Mrs T Ngo and Ms D Khoete, house committee members, Ms l Kekana, Mr L Mkhize and Ms K Mapota, and the executive management team on the ground at that time,” said Makhoahle.

Did you know?

• Dr Makhoahle is an HPCSA registered Medical Biological Scientist and the areas of research interest includes molecular biology, molecular typing, medicinal plants drug discovery- plant toxicity, antimicrobial activity and antioxidant determinations, Bacterial profiling and diseases monitoring and sensitivity testing.
• He is also the reviewer and board member of internal journals and has represented CUT at FSPHRC, and was appointed by MEC for Health FS as the new journal club member.
• He is a member of UFS Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (HSREC) and the newly formed CUT Ethics Committee.

Asked about his current career, Dr Parks said “being in a Health Care profession is a calling. It takes passion, the love for science, curiosity, acquiring and discovering new knowledge, and the love to explore and experiment in the laboratory. I believe in applied research, and I have a deep passion for research for it is my tool to discovering new things and finding solutions to societal challenges. As a result, I published a lot of articles and the book chapter over the years, ranging from molecular biology, medicinal plants and marrying indigenous knowledge with scientific discoveries.

Venturing into academics

“Becoming a teacher started as a hobby for the love of parting knowledge. Many years ago, when I was in standard 3 (currently grade 5), I used to conduct extra mathematics classes for a group of learners at Tshedisehang Public School. The love grew more over the years, and I found myself facilitating Computer Sciences, Law Maths and Maths Literacy at the University of the Free State, as a Supplementary Instructor, and lecturing at Motheo TVET College (Adult Center- Math and Physical Science Grade 12). While at the University of the Free State around 2005-2009, I used to present MenslikeInfektiewe Siekte sessions, where I presented in Afrikaans, and Medical Microbiology in English to honours students.

Asked how and why he joined CUT, he said that he was encouraged by one of his former colleague professors at the UFS-NHLS, after seeing the CUT vacancy advertisement. “That advert caught my attention because I wanted to make a mark, and I knew I had the potential to contribute to the CUT, which was finding its foot after amalgamation at the time. So, I applied for the position, and the rest is history.”

“Looking back to where I was, my career has changed both my and my family’s lives in a very positive way. I am not the same person that I was when I joined the CUT, personally and academically. The same goes for my family as there are also some gains for them as well. Yes, we acknowledge that challenges will always be there, but I believe they are part of life and growth.”

“By far, CUT is the best place to be if you want growth and progress, however, there are certain areas which are stumbling blocks brought by human elements, which needs attention. Our Mission, Vision and Values should be the ones guiding us at all times. For CUT to be a leading University of Technology in Africa by 2030 is achievable, but we need a goal-driven team to get there.”

Dr Makhoahle said his wish is to spread his wings, expand his research and have more active publishing students. He also wishes to assist both his students and colleagues in obtaining their masters and doctorates.

How do you see your area of specialisation changing in the next five years?

“Medical plants changed for the better during COVID-19, and I see more interest developing. We just need to get a reliable drug manufacturing company to partner with us to cure the world, we also need more research on disease monitoring, sensitivity testing and molecular sciences; more discovery of new drugs, emergence, and re-emergence of organisms due to misuse of medication /drugs and incorporating 4IR to dominate the space.

He lives by the motto: ‘With every opportunity you get, take advantage, and leave a mark...!”