Johannesburg, South Africa – Dr. Eric Bakama has made history, becoming the first person in Africa to receive a PhD in Quality Engineering. This groundbreaking achievement comes as the University of Johannesburg (UJ) introduces its new, exclusive PhD program in the field.
Dr. Bakama, 28, focused his doctoral thesis on developing a framework that integrates Quality 4.0 principles with Education 4.0. This framework aims to bolster the quality of South Africa’s higher education system.
“My research explored using Quality 4.0 in the education sector through smart education to create a more robust system,” explained Dr. Bakama. “The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in our education system, particularly regarding remote learning. I questioned how students in remote areas could access education and how instructors could adapt to digital learning and new technologies.”
The need for this specialized PhD program was identified by the Department of Quality and Operations Management within UJ’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE). Professor Nita Sukdeo, Dr. Bakama’s PhD supervisor, elaborated, “While postgraduate qualifications in quality management existed at other universities, there was a gap for a PhD program in Quality Engineering. We developed this program in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Engineering to address that need.”
Dr. Bakama sees this qualification as a tool to empower future generations. “By embracing Education 4.0 and the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we can significantly improve the quality of education,” he stated. “Even strong education systems can be enhanced by tackling issues like graduate employability, skill development, and curriculum relevance. The 4.0 learner leverages technology to shape their future prospects, and that’s the goal of education in the 4IR era.”
Dr. Bakama’s journey at UJ began in 2014 as a student. He progressed to become a tutor and then a lecturer within the department. Looking ahead, he hopes this PhD program will open doors for collaboration with other African universities, propelling the continent to the forefront of the field and attracting global talent. “This qualification offers diverse career opportunities and can be combined with other degrees for even greater value. Quality Engineering is a new field, and research will be paramount in its development.”
Professor Sukdeo echoed Dr. Bakama’s enthusiasm. “I’m incredibly proud of Dr. Bakama’s accomplishments. He’s brought fresh perspectives on technology and AI in higher education, and his research has already been published in several academic journals.”
 introduces its new, exclusive PhD program in the field.){kind=link}