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Dr Reabetswe Parkies: A journey to achievement

20 April 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Charl Devenish

Rea Parkies — Dr Reabetswe Parkies, Senior Officer in Marketing within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), graduates with a PhD in Business Management at the April 2024 graduations.

The April 2024 graduations at the University of the Free State (UFS) mark a significant moment for graduates in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), including Dr Reabetswe Parkies, whose journey in attaining a PhD in Business Management has been one of dedication and perseverance.

Reflecting on the upcoming ceremony, Dr Parkies expressed mixed emotions, encapsulating the essence of her journey: ‘’As I prepare to walk across that stage, I'm filled with a mixture of emotions—excitement, pride, nostalgia, and perhaps a hint of apprehension about what lies ahead.’’ This moment represents the culmination of years of hard work and commitment to her academic pursuits.

Dr Parkies’s doctoral thesis, titled “Student self-employment in South Africa: A triple helix model, entrepreneurial competence and social support perspective,” delves into the complex dynamics of student entrepreneurship within the South African context. Her study aims to develop a comprehensive model for understanding self-employment, incorporating factors such as entrepreneurial competence, social support, and the role of the university, industry and government initiatives.

A culmination of years of hard work

The path to achieving her PhD was not without its challenges. Balancing her responsibilities as a Senior Officer in Marketing at the UFS with the demands of academic research required meticulous time management and personal sacrifice. ‘’As time went on, I found my rhythm and developed strategies to become more efficient and effective,’’ Dr Parkies explained. She credits her successful completion of the PhD to the unwavering support of her supervisors and her determination.

As she prepares to celebrate this milestone, Dr Parkies looks ahead to future contributions to her field. ’’By delving deeper into my area of expertise, I aim to uncover new insights and share these findings with the academic community through scholarly articles,’’ she remarked, emphasising her commitment to ongoing research and knowledge dissemination.

Dr Reabetswe Parkies's achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars and underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in pursuing academic excellence. Her journey exemplifies the ethos of the University of the Free State in fostering academic growth and scholarly inquiry.

News Archive

New research informs improved treatment of brain inflammation

2017-10-13

Dr Adepemi Ogundeji, researcher in the Department of Microbial,
Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the
University of the Free State,and Dr Olihile Sebolai,
her study leader from the same department.
Photo: Charl Devenish

Microbiologist Dr Adepemi Ogundeji has uncovered a new use for an old medicine that can potentially save lives and money. Under the guidance of her study leader, Dr Olihile Sebolai, Dr Ogundeji set out to fight a fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Drs Ogundeji and Sebolai are from the University of the Free State Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology.

Dr Ogundeji is passionate about education. “My aim will always be to transfer knowledge and skills in the microbiology field,” she said. “Dr Ogundeji’s study is celebrated in that it found a new purpose for existing medicines. An advantage of repositioning old medicines is by-passing clinical trials, which sometimes take 20 years, and the safety of such medicines is already known,” Dr Sebolai, explained.

Cryptococcus infections are difficult to control and often lead to brain inflammation. In layman’s terms: “Your brain is on fire”. People with HIV/Aids are especially vulnerable, surviving only about three months without treatment. Such patients may present with a Cryptococcus-emergent psychosis, and some with an out-of-control inflammatory condition when initiated on ARVs.

Dr Ogundeji found that the clinically recommended dosage of aspirin (anti-inflammatory medicine), and quetiapine (anti-psychotic medicine) is sufficient to control the infection. Her exceptional work was readily published in some of the foremost journals in her field, namely, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and Frontiers in Microbiology

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