An overjoyed Masters of Education (science) student, Mr Alvin Uchenna Ugwu, whose research findings are being used to assist teachers and teacher training institutions, graduated summa cum laude at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. ‘This is a phenomenal achievement. I could not have done it without the support and guidance of my supervisor Dr Asheena Singh-Pillay. She motivated and inspired all her students.

The young Nigerian sees this as an achievement not for himself but for his family as well. Ugwu came to South Africa in 2014 when he enrolled for a postgraduate certificate in education. He later obtained his honours and finally his master’s degree. ‘The sacrifices I made, hours of slogging, sleepless nights and the tons of reading I had to do, has paid off.  It was all worth it.’