PhD for hearing-impaired student in Limpopo
Rhinah Lutendo Singo, who is hearing-impaired, has faced many obstacles in her life, but it has not deterred her. She was recently capped with a doctoral degree in environmental sciences (hydrology and water resources) at the University of Venda.
LIMPOPO – The title of her thesis was: Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques to evaluate the impact of land cover and land use on the hydrology and water resources of the Luvuvhu river catchment in Limpopo, South Africa.”
She grew up as a hearing- impaired person, which mean she struggles to hear. However, she has learned to teach and equip herself with knowledge about social life and education.
Dr Rhinah is grateful to her supervisor.
“At first, due to my hearing problem, my supervisor struggled to teach me. He had to write everything down and was so helpful throughout,” Singo said.
Singo said her secret to success was studying hard and being dedicated to her studies.
“When I couldn’t understand my work or whatever I was studying, I humbled myself and asked other people to help me to understand,” said Singo.
To her it has been a long wait for this moment to arrive, since she completed her studies in 2014.
“I am so happy today, however I am not done with my studies. I want to study a post doctoral degree anywhere in South Africa, or even outside of the country,” Singo added.
Through Univen’s disability unit, Singo has received the necessary assistance to successfully navigate life at university.
“When I started with my degree in hydrology here at the University of Venda, the university was accommodating up until I completed my PhD,” She explained.
