Having both aced their master’s degrees with distinctions, married couple Rashmi Rambiritch-Gagiano and Marc Gagiano have returned to the University of Pretoria (UP) to study towards their PhDs.

“We chose UP because of the high standard and the positive reputation that it had,” Rashmi says. “We have always felt that having UP behind our names was something to be proud of; we are fascinated with how the University continues to adapt, transform and foster collaboration between fields to improve the outcomes of South Africa and to cement itself as one that can hold its own on any international stage.”

Rashmi holds a master’s in Business Management (specialising in responsible leadership), which she obtained in 2022. She is a business management consultant and a researcher, and is currently on a sabbatical to complete her PhD, hopefully this year. Over the course of her career, Rashmi has been involved in senior medical and commercial roles for various multinational pharmaceutical companies.

“What I loved the most was the difference I got to make in patients’ lives on a daily basis,” she says.

At the moment, a typical day sees her going from the gym to UP’s library to work on her PhD. But that’s not all she does.

“I am also supervising three master’s students and this is my third year doing so, so some time is spent with them too,” Rashmi says. “After that, I either play for the University orchestra at night or practise playing the violin as I am hoping to pursue my violin performance qualifications once my PhD is over.”

She is excited to re-enter the corporate space once she has completed her doctorate.

“I am certain that my growth as a result of this degree will stand me in great stead, not only to re-enter my former environment, but to make a bigger contribution to the fields of healthcare, leadership and business.”

Marc, who is a senior data scientist at Nedbank, graduated this year with a Master of Information Technology, and says obtaining this qualification helps him to stand out from crowd.

“It is not an easy degree and to have it not only shows a level of academic achievement, but also the sheer grit and tenacity required,” he says. “Being an older student, a lot of workplace skills were already in place, but I think I learnt more about working with people from different backgrounds and what it means to mentor people. This was and still is deeply rewarding and fulfilling to me.” 

He is in his first-year of his PhD studies, which is focused on operations research.

“I have a deep love for and fascination with machine learning and artificial intelligence,” he says.

Rashmi thinks that UP alumni have an incredible role to play in the progress and development of the University.

“It is up to those of us with advanced degrees to either offer our services as lecturers or supervisors or be actively involved in the curriculum and how it develops,” she says. “Additionally, we should never forget those who come after us. Many students are struggling, either emotionally, financially or both. We, who have the enormous privilege of having graduated from UP, have a moral and civic duty to help alleviate those burdens.”

For her, education is everything as she comes from a single-parent household and was a scholarship student.

“I knew from the age of seven that the only way for me to change my circumstances was to become highly educated, and I have been working towards that my entire life,” Rashmi says. “Education has saved me and broken the cycle.”

She says her grandfather, Dr Birbal Rambiritch, was the first Indian to graduate with a PhD in South Africa. He obtained his doctorate in 1961, at a time when this was extremely difficult for a person of colour.

“Much of his work was centred on the education of Indian women, and I can think of no better tribute to him – and all the other doctorate holders who came after him – than to finish my PhD and live not in their shadows but under their wings, and contribute to their legacy. For this reason, UP issued my master’s and will issue my PhD under my maiden name of ‘Rambiritch’.”

If there’s one thing Marc says he’s learnt in life it is that your interpersonal relationships and the bonds you form with people are crucial in succeeding both personally and professionally.

“Although academic qualifications are important, do not underestimate the power of personal relationships and networking,” he says.