The Unisa Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre (RLC) conducted a series of impactful events designed to equip its newest cohort with the tools, strategies and inspiration needed for postgraduate success. This year, the RLC proudly welcomed 94 doctoral and four master’s candidates.

Navigating the postgraduate ecosystem (orientation highlights)

On 15 May 2026, the RLC hosted its official orientation session, introducing students to the university’s robust digital, administrative and academic infrastructure.

Essential milestones and administration

Students were guided through the critical benchmarks of their upcoming research journey:

• Research milestones and exit requirements: Developing sound proposals, securing ethical clearance prior to data collection, navigating plagiarism checks, submitting mandatory articles for publication, contacting professional language editors, writing the thesis and having it examined, and doing an oral examination (viva voce).
• Administrative essentials: Managing yearly registration, fee payments and deferment, and consistently using official student email channels.

Information and communication technology, and library resources

To ensure a seamless transition to remote digital learning, the information and communication technology (ICT) and library teams provided live demonstrations of Unisa's physical and digital resources:

• Digital support: Assistance with myLife and myUnisa account activation, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and access to licensed Microsoft 365 applications and research software.
• Library access: Guidance on navigating Unisa’s vast online e-resources, including subject databases, e-journals and e-books.
• Local library partnerships: Thanks to Unisa’s strategic cooperation agreements, students based in Ethiopia enjoy physical access to partner libraries at Addis Ababa University, Haramaya University, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, and the African Union Library.

Blueprint for success (alumni experience-sharing)

Following the orientation, the RLC hosted its annual experience-sharing programme on 29 May 2026. The event connected new candidates with three recent doctoral graduates – Dr Mesele Shiferaw Kotiso, Dr Temesgen Tadele Asrati and Dr Mengesha Eyasu Beyene – who provided a realistic look into the "marathon" of doctoral life. The students were also introduced to Unisa’s academic catalytic niche areas (CNAs) by Prof Jessica Murray.

Invaluable advice from graduates

The alumni panel moved beyond theory, offering highly practical "survival" strategies based on their personal academic journeys:

• Nurturing supervisor relationships: The graduates emphasised that communication must be respectful, transparent and consistent. "Strong communication creates trust, and trust keeps the research process moving forward", noted one presenter.
• Practical life skills: Developing disciplined routines, realistic work plans and meticulous documentation is essential for successfully balancing academic, professional and family responsibilities.
• Overcoming real-world adversity: The speakers spoke candidly about navigating external obstacles and unpredictable life events. Their collective message was: persistence, adaptability and emotional resilience are what turn overwhelming circumstances into graduation stories.

Both events served as a powerful reminder that behind every completed postgraduate degree lies a story of patience, discipline and robust community support. By reinforcing the need for clarity, academic originality and active engagement, the Unisa Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering students to excel academically and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s transformation.

 * By Gelilawit Mekonnen, Adela Geda and Meseret Tefera from the Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre, College of Graduate Studies