by Gerrit Bester
In a remarkable feat, three distinguished academics and consummate performing artists from the Faculty of Arts and Design have successfully earned their Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degrees in Education Management from the Haaga Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland. What truly sets Drs Laetitia Orlandi, Roland Moses and Rostislava Pashkevitch-Ngobeni apart is their ability to achieve this milestone while juggling their demanding roles as both educators and artists.
The qualification entailed six structured modules and a thesis, completed over 18 months. The structured modules were: Basis for teaching and learning, Pedagogical design and practices, Pedagogical management, Human Resource Management, Strategic Management in VET and Financial Management. The first three modules were offered online as it was not yet possible for the facilitators to travel to South Africa. Thereafter, the modules were offered face-to-face. Each module was offered in a week-long block form.
The title of Dr Orlandi’s thesis is Developing guidelines for a post-COVID-19 blended learning strategy at a University of Technology, and that of Drs Moses and Pashkevitch-Ngobeni Developing a conceptual framework for online jazz piano learning at a University of Technology, and Artivism in Performing Arts Education: Conceptualisation of an online Short Learning Programme, respectively.
Dr Orlandi is the Assistant Dean and Acting Head of the Department of Design Studies at the Faculty, while Drs Moses and Pashkevitch-Ngobeni are stalwarts at the Department of Performing Arts, where they work as a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department, respectively.
Asked what this qualification means for their career- and personal development, they reacted as follows:
“The programme provided great value in the form of management knowledge and skills and peer engagement. The Finnish pedagogical approach is strongly focused on peer-to-peer learning and engaging in our Peer Learning Groups (PLGs) was highly stimulating and supportive. The knowledge gained in all six modules is invaluable as an academic manager and the thesis provided me with an opportunity to delve deeper into a relevant and current topic,” said Dr Orlandi.
Dr Rostislava Pashkevitch-Ngobeni
Dr Laetitia Orlandi
Dr Moses said: “Pursuing an MBA in Education Management provides me with the strategic vision and leadership skills essential for driving transformative change in higher education. It allows me to integrate educational theory with innovative technology, enabling me to create a curriculum that is both engaging and effective while enhancing the learning experience for aspiring jazz pianists around the globe.”
Dr Pashkevitch-Ngobeni responded as follows: “This qualification has been a journey of personal growth and discovery, deeply enriching both my professional and personal life. In terms of career development and growth, the experience of developing an online Short Learning Programme has pushed me beyond traditional educational frameworks. I’ve gained new insights into the potential of digital learning in the Arts, understanding how to craft engaging, accessible content that meets the unique needs of Performing Arts education. This has given me confidence in my ability to innovate in this evolving field.
“Exploring the fusion of activism and art has opened my eyes to the immense power of creativity in driving social change. I now see how art can be a catalyst for addressing injustice and inequality, which has reshaped my approach to both teaching and my own artistic practice.”
All three say that they would encourage colleagues to also enrol for this qualification.
“Personal development is an ongoing process and opportunities like these are invaluable because of the quality you receive at no personal cost. TUT provides ample opportunities for staff to continue their personal and professional growth and development and I have always been grateful for every opportunity I seized,” said Dr Orlandi.
“Pursuing an MBA in Education Management will empower you to lead with vision, drive innovation and make a lasting impact on the future of higher education,” said Dr Moses.
Dr Pashkevitch-Ngobeni concluded: "Through my MBA journey, I’ve realised that the fusion of art and activism holds the power to drive real change. This experience has not only sharpened my strategic thinking and leadership skills but also deepened my sense of purpose. I’m now more empowered to use education and creative innovation as tools for social justice, understanding that true growth lies in embracing continuous learning and bold, new ideas."
Dr Roland Moses