Eveline Omagano Anyolo’s doctoral journey took her from Namibia to Finland to explore how Education for Sustainable Development can be integrated into schools. In this interview, she shares the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned along the way.
1. Tell us about your background – what have you studied and what led you to pursue doctoral studies?
I am Eveline Omagano Anyolo from Namibia. I studied my PhD in Education at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) in Finland between 2013 and 2015. My doctoral research focuses on the implementation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Namibian Schools: Teacher Perceptions and Practices. In Namibia, ESD is a cross-curricular theme. All teachers and teacher educators are expected to integrate it into the teaching of their subjects. This is very crucial for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); hence, there is a need for it to be fully understood by all. I defended my PhD dissertation in December 2015 and obtained a doctoral degree in Educational Studies.
2. What is your degree?
Doctoral degree in Educational Studies.
3. What motivated you to apply for doctoral studies in this field and at this university?
My motivation stemmed from the importance of ESD in achieving sustainable development goals and the need for teachers to understand and integrate ESD into their teaching. UEF offered a strong academic environment and expertise in sustainability education, which aligned perfectly with my research interests.
4. What was the most challenging part of your doctoral research?
Although I enjoyed my stay at UEF, I encountered several challenges during my studies. One of the primary difficulties involved balancing feelings of isolation with active engagement in the academic sphere. Adapting to a new cultural context required a high degree of self-regulation and resilience. As an international student in Finland, I also faced a significant language barrier. Most students on campus spoke Finnish, and many had limited proficiency in English. Consequently, during seminars, many students presented their work in Finnish, which made it difficult for me to fully benefit from and engage with their discussions. Furthermore, the academic writing process posed its own set of challenges, particularly in developing coherent and persuasive arguments that met the expectations of academic writing.
5. What was the most rewarding part of your doctoral journey?
Despite these challenges, doing a PhD abroad was a reward to me. I learned so much in terms of culture, academics, and life in general. I was also fortunate to have supportive and dedicated supervisors who demonstrated exceptional kindness and professionalism throughout my studies. They consistently provided timely and constructive feedback, which greatly enhanced the quality of my work and facilitated my academic progress. Their invaluable support enabled me to complete my studies within about three years. Living in a foreign country for years also enabled me to become more independent and self-reliant. I learned how to adapt to being away from home and to navigate environments surrounded by unfamiliar people. This experience was enriching, as it exposed me to individuals from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, enhancing my intercultural competence.
Pursuing a PhD is a long and challenging journey, yet a rewarding one. It demands persistence and a passion for the chosen field of study.
Eveline Omagano Anyolo
Doctor of Education
6. How did the doctoral journey impact you professionally or personally?
Shortly after my dissertation defence, I returned to Namibia. In the same year, my supervisors encouraged me to write at least one publication based on my doctoral research. A year later, I published my first article in collaboration with my two supervisors, to whom I remain grateful for their invaluable guidance and mentorship. Following this, I began publishing both independently and in collaboration with colleagues at my institution.
7. How has your career progressed since earning your doctorate?
In 2019, I was promoted to the position of Senior Lecturer, an achievement I attribute to the academic growth and research experience gained during my doctoral journey.
8. How have you been able to apply your doctoral degree in working life?
Throughout my doctoral journey, I achieved a lot in terms of teaching. The journey enabled me to connect sustainability principles in the teaching of Social Studies, which I believe helps students understand society, culture, economics, politics, and the environment. I employ ESD pedagogical approaches such as inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and the promotion of critical thinking to facilitate and enhance the learning process.
9. What is the best thing about your current work life?
Currently, I am involved in two projects on Education for Sustainable Development. One of the projects is the Future teacher education for sustainable development (FUTE) project, which is a collaboration between UEF, University of Turku, University of Namibia, and Dar es Salaam University College of Education (Tansania). The main aim of the project is to capacitate teacher educators on ESD and its approaches to teaching. The project also aims for curriculum analysis to ensure ESD integration and engage in sustainability mini-projects with students, schools, and communities. Another project is the Sub-Saharan Africa Teacher Leadership for ESD (SSATL-ESD), a collaboration between Germany, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, and Malawi Universities. The project aims to train trainers who are expected to train ESD leaders in the integration of sustainable development into their own teaching and communities.
10. What advice would you give to someone considering doctoral training?
Pursuing a PhD is a long and challenging journey, yet a rewarding one. It demands persistence and a passion for the chosen field of study. For those who aspire to an academic or research-oriented career, or who wish to develop advanced expertise in a specific area, undertaking doctoral studies can be an invaluable opportunity. However, it is important to be mindful of the external pressures and expectations that may accompany the pursuit of a PhD, whether related to societal prestige, professional uncertainty, or personal motivation. So, entering the PhD journey with clear purpose and resilience is essential for a fulfilling doctoral experience.
