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Two master’s degrees in 20 months: Stefanus Scheepers’ remarkable academic journey

12 December 2024 | Story Edzani Nephalela | Photo Supplied

Completing a master’s degree in record time is a remarkable achievement, but for Stefanus Scheepers, Senior Admin Assistant Officer at the University of the Free State Faculty of Education, it marked the beginning of an even more extraordinary academic journey. In a feat few could match, he earned two master’s degrees in just 20 months.

Scheepers’ first degree, a Master of Education specialising in Higher Education Studies, was conferred by the University of the Free State (UFS) on 9 December 2024. His thesis, ‘Effective Pedagogical Practices Teaching Assistants Use in Hybrid Teaching Modes: A Community of Inquiry Approach’, explored innovative teaching strategies in hybrid learning environments.

The second degree, a Master of Science by Research in Sustainable African Futures, was conferred through the Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF) Doctoral Programme. His thesis, ‘Investigating the Perception, Adoption, and Utilization of Generative Artificial Intelligence in South African Higher Education Institutions’, examined the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) on sustainable education in South Africa.

“My experience presenting workshops on GAI tools and its misuse by students sparked my research interest,” he explained. The resulting mini-dissertation shed light on the critical need for sustainable education practices in an era increasingly influenced by AI. This theme will continue as Scheepers embarks on a PhD at Wits University in 2025, exploring how to balance GAI’s benefits and risks in education.

Initially, Scheepers embarked on a part-time master’s degree in 2023 at the UFS while working full-time. “I hadn’t planned to complete two degrees,” he said, “but my supervisor’s encouragement and excellent guidance made completing the degree within a year seem possible.” Midway through, however, a nomination from the Dean and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Education changed everything. The WESAF Doctoral Programme offered an opportunity that was too valuable to pass up, even though it added another degree to his demanding schedule.

“At first I was very hesitant, but my supervisor said that I would regret not taking it”, he said with a smile.

Time management does the trick

Balancing the demands of studying for two master’s degrees was no small feat. Scheepers chose to embrace meticulous time management, creating a schedule that integrated study and rest.

“Time management is not just about making a plan but sticking to it,” he emphasised. This structured approach allowed him to maximise productivity without burnout. “I must admit, working at night in your office did feel strange at first, but tranquil after a while.” Weekends included much-needed downtime, which helped him maintain resilience throughout.

Reflecting on this intense period, Scheepers attributes his success to cumulative skills gained over the years. “Every skill learnt in prior degrees was put to the test. The journey wasn’t easy, but intentionally applying these skills made the challenge rewarding.”

After nearly six years at higher education institutions – Scheepers’ career ambition is to transition into a lecturer role, with the hope of passing on his research and hands-on experience to a new generation of students.

When asked what he would share with prospective students at the UFS, Scheepers said, “The path to success isn’t always straightforward. I’ve experienced setbacks, even dropping out twice before finding my footing. But each challenge taught me resilience and determination. To all students: Keep going, even when the journey feels daunting. Every obstacle you overcome is a step closer to your goals. Remember, success is not about avoiding failure but learning and growing stronger with each experience. Stay focused, believe in yourself, and trust the process – you can do much more than you may realise.”

This remarkable dual graduation is not only a rare achievement in academia but also highlights Scheepers’ exceptional time management, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to advancing the fields of education and sustainable futures.

News Archive

Protection of Information bill- opinions from our experts

2011-11-28

Prof. Hussein Solomon
Senior Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of the Free State.

In recent years, given their failure to effectively govern, the ANC has become increasingly defensive. These defensive traits have become particularly acute in light of the various corruption scandals that members of the ruling party involve themselves in.

Given the fact that for now they are assured of an electoral majority (largely on account of their anti-apartheid credentials), coupled with the fact that they have managed to make parliament a rubber stamp of the executive as opposed to holding the executive accountable, it is the media which has increasingly held the ruling party to account by exposing such corruption and incompetence in government.

The passing of the information bill, therefore, is not merely an attack on the media, but an attack on the pivotal issue of accountability. Without accountability, there can be no democracy.

By defining national interest broadly, by refusing to accept a public interest clause in the bill, the ANC increasingly shows its disdain to South Africa's constitution and its citizens.

More importantly, as former Minister of Intelligence and ANC stalwart Ronnie Kasrils pointedly makes clear, the ANC is also betraying its own noble struggle against the odious apartheid regime. It was the media which played a key role in exposing apartheid's excesses, it is the same media which is coming under attack by the heirs of PW Botha's State Security Council - Minister of State Security Siyabong Cwele and his security apparatchiks whose mindsets reflect more Stalin's Gulag's than the values of the Freedom Charter.

The passing of this bill is also taking place at a time when journalists have had their phones attacked, where the judiciary has been deliberately undermined and parliament silenced.

Democrats beware!

Prof. Johann de Wet

Chairperson: Department of Communication Science

The ANC’s insistence on passing the Protection of State Information Bill in its current form and enforcing it by law, means that the essence of our democratic state and the quality of life of every citizen is at stake.

Yes, our freedom as academics, researchers, mass media practitioners and citizens comes into play. Freedom implies the right to choose and is, along with equality, an underlying principle which helps make democracy happen. While the South African state needs to protect (classify) information which could threaten its security and/or survival, the omission of a public interest clause in the Bill at this stage effectively denies a citizen the right to freedom of information.

Freedom of information, along with press freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and religious freedom, are essential to democracy. These freedoms are granted because they conform to basic liberal ideas associated with (Western) democracy and which resonate with South Africa’s liberal constitution, such as (1) belief in the supreme value of the individual (and thus not of the state); (2) belief that the individual has natural rights (rights which belong to all human beings by nature – such as the right to life and to control government)) which exist independently of government, and which ought to be protected by and against government; and (3) recognition of the supreme value of the individual.

One wonders how many cases of South African government corruption and mismanagement would have been uncovered by investigative journalists over the past number of years if this Bill in its current form was on the statute books. This Bill represents a backward step from the promise of democracy of having an informed public. The former National Party government had similar laws in place and one does not want to go there again. The infamous Information Scandal in South Africa of some thirty years ago, or Muldergate as it has come to be known, reminds one of what governments can do when it works clandestinely.

What South Africans need, is more information on what government structures are doing and how they are doing it with taxpayers’ money, not less information. While information in itself does not equal communication or dialogue, it is an indispensable part thereof, and the need for dialogue based on verifiable information is urgent for meeting vexed challenges facing South African communities. Academics in all fields of specialisation are constantly in need of untainted information to pursue answers and/or offer solutions to where South Africa should be moving in all spheres of life.

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