Professor Uwe Hermann, 39, from the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, recently graduated with his second doctoral degree, a PhD (Curriculum Development and Instructional Design) from the University of Pretoria.
In addition to obtaining his first doctorate at the age of only 28, he was promoted to Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism Management, in 2021, making him one of the youngest professors in his industry.
“The first PhD that I obtained from the North West University in 2013, was in Tourism Management, which served as a pillar for establishing my research career in tourism. I completed my Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education in 2016 which left me even more curious. The second PhD in Curriculum development and instructional design effectively focused on researching my own practice and how to actively improve it,” he said.
In his thesis Hermann advocates the need for a more effective, constructively aligned curriculum that promotes the development of critical competency-based learning. “It is only once you have empowered students to take ownership of their own learning that authentic learning may take place in which students develop in such a way that they are able to contribute meaningfully to the world in which they live,” Herman added.
“I find the two PhD's complimentary, linking my tourism background with practice-based research in education. As lecturers, we effectively are educators and we should strive to constantly improve our practice independently and collaboratively with colleagues. I see my research focus over the next few years aligned to research methodology curriculum design,” he added.
As part of his study he presented a paper at the Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education conference in Australia in February. Not only did he present the only paper from Africa, he also won the best paper award at the conference.
“Congratulations to Uwe for his achievement. This is no mean feat, he is one of only two academics in the Faculty to hold two doctoral degrees. His newly acquired knowledge will benefit the Faculty in these times of flux in the science of learning and teaching,” said Dr Edgar Nesamvuni, Executive Dean of the Faculty.
Pretoria News