Dr Anele Nkoyi celebrates his milestone with his co-promoter, Prof. Freda Van der Walt, Dean of Management Sciences.

Continuous learning is no longer optional it is essential, especially for those shaping future generations. This graduation season, the Welkom campus marked a proud and powerful milestone, celebrating its only two PhD graduates: Dr Anele Nkoyi and Dr Moabi Kompi.

Dr Anele Nkoyi, a Business Management Lecturer, has produced impactful research on how retail banks can drive sustained adoption of electronic banking in rural communities across the Eastern Cape. His study highlights the importance of trust-building, personalised support, and meaningful customer engagement as critical enablers of digital inclusion. By strengthening confidence in digital banking platforms, these approaches encourage long-term usage and deeper customer relationships.

Beyond theory, Dr Nkoyi’s research offers practical and actionable solutions for banks seeking to bridge the digital divide and better serve underserved communities. Reflecting on his academic journey, he encapsulates the value of scholarly pursuit: “A PhD is a license to teach; it is essential to have one.” His achievement stands as a testament to resilience, discipline, and the transformative power of strong mentorship.

Dr Moabi Kompi congratulated by his promoter, Prof. Muthoni Masinde, Dean of Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology.

Dr Moabi Kompi, Lecturer in Information Technology, tackled one of South Africa’s pressing challenges, bridging the gap between smart city ambition and reality. His doctoral research introduces an evidence-based tool designed to help municipalities plan, assess, and implement smart city initiatives within resource constraints. With a peer reviewed publication and an international conference presentation, his work is already making waves beyond academia, offering real world impact where it matters most.

As the Welkom campus’s sole PhD graduates this season, Dr Nkoyi and Dr Kompi embody what it means to rise through knowledge, perseverance, and purpose. Their journeys are more than personal victories they are a call to action. In a rapidly evolving world, the pursuit of knowledge is not just an achievement it is a responsibility, an inspiration, and a legacy.