GWERU, Zimbabwe — Midlands State University (MSU) bolstered its standing as a leader in gender empowerment and research excellence on 19 February 2026, as Ms. Q. Satiya became the first woman to successfully defend her thesis under the institution’s rigorous new doctoral examination framework.
The landmark viva voce session, co-hosted by the MSU Postgraduate Studies Office and the Faculty of Education, marks a transition toward a more robust and globally competitive academic interrogation process.
Ms Satiya’s research, titled “Total Quality Management (TQM) Practices in Polytechnics Clothing and Textiles Production Units in Zimbabwe”, provides a sophisticated analysis of how technical and vocational institutions can optimise industrial efficiency.
Supervised by Professor L. Mberengwa, the study evaluated the integration of TQM models within production units to offer a blueprint for quality assurance in the nation’s applied education sector.
The examination required the candidate to navigate a high-level scholarly dialogue, defending the methodological rigour and theoretical depth of her work before a panel of experts.
Ms. Satiya’s performance was lauded for its academic maturity, serving as a successful proof of concept for MSU’s refined doctoral training systems.
University officials noted that the milestone directly reflects MSU’s strategic commitment to inclusivity and gender equity within higher education.
Fostering an environment where female scholars excel at the highest level, the university continues to produce graduates equipped to solve complex industrial and societal challenges.
This successful defence signals a new era for the institution as it seeks to align its postgraduate outputs with international standards of excellence.