Newly capped doctors: Dr Papiso Brown, Dr Myameko Pele and Dr Nicole Drude applauded for consistent application of the mind to complex issues confronting humanity and communities.

CUT Welkom Campus celebrated the conferral of three doctoral degrees on exceptional scholars, Dr Papiso Brown, Dr Nicole Drude, and Dr Myameko Pele, for their commitment towards strengthening the research and innovation capacity within their respective academic and research fields.

The Doctoral degree conferral represents the pinnacle of academic achievement, signifying the highest level of expertise in a chosen field. This prestigious qualification is an individual accomplishment and extends beyond academia and professional success, contributing to societal progress. It is a recognition of years of dedication, perseverance, and scholarly inquiry, marking the recipient’s place among the world’s leading thinkers and innovators in the ever-evolving world.

By the end of the 2025 Autumn Graduations, a total of 20 doctoral degrees will be conferred, with 3 at Welkom Campus and 17 at the Bloemfontein Campus.

Dr Papiso Brown, Doctor of Communication in Language Practice

Dr Brown’s research titled ‘Linguistic manipulation on Facebook during political and public unrests: A case study of Lesotho’ delved into the power of linguistic manipulation on Facebook political group pages during times of public and political unrest. Using a mixed-method approach combining qualitative critical discourse analysis, quantitative descriptive statistical analysis, and thematic analysis, her study shed light on the ways in which language influences public discourse in digital spaces.

Dr Nicole Drude, Doctor of Education

Dr Drude’s study titled ‘Teacher’s perspectives on inclusive practices in full-service and ordinary mainstream schools: towards a support framework for intervention’, explored teachers' perspectives on inclusive education in both full-service and mainstream schools. Her findings revealed that educators feel highly confident in collaborating with families, colleagues, and stakeholders to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all learners.

Dr Myameko Pele, Doctor of Education

Dr Pele's research titled ‘The state of multi-grade teaching in the intermediate phase in rural areas in the Free State province’”, investigated how teachers and principals manage classrooms with learners from different grades. Through a qualitative approach utilising open-ended questionnaires, in-depth teacher interviews, and classroom observations, his research provided valuable insights into the challenges and strategies of multi-grade teaching in the intermediate phase.