Achiever of the week: Manqoba Hlatshwayo

This week’s feature is Manqoba Hlatshwayo. Manqoba is from South Africa. He holds a BSc. Honours degree from Rhodes University and a Masters from Western Michigan University. He majored in Physics & Mathematics. Manqoba is currently a PhD student in The United States of America (Kalamazoo, Michigan). He has been living and studying abroad for five years.

Manqoba's childhood dream was to become an astronaut with NASA. He knew he was going to go to the USA at some point of his life but didn’t know when and how. Thankfully God made a way for him to get the Fulbright scholarship to make his childhood dream come true. The preparation process to move to America was easy for him because Fulbright applied to universities on his behalf, and also took care of the VISA application, flight bookings, and many other things. Manqoba knew he was called to be a scientist from a very young age. Space exploration is what captivated his interest at his young age but it was eventually his love for mathematics that shaped the kind of scientist he has become. As a Theoretical Physicist, He uses mathematics and computation to develop models that seek to explain the dynamics and properties of certain physical system. He decided to pursue a Phd degree in order to equip himself with the knowledge and skills that will enable him to make a significant contribution to science. So far he has travelled to different cities in 9 or 10 states in America. His favourite trip is when Ihe visited NASA’s space station at Houston, Texas. This trip made him feel like his childhood dream was coming alive, and when he shared it with the people at the conference, everyone was so excited with him. Manqoba got to see some of the rockets that took humanity to the moon, learn about important space history, and see cool future projects built at NASA.

Manqoba shares with us his experience of studying abroad, how he got the opportunity to study abroad, the advantages and disadvantages of being an international student in America, his highlights and his future plans.

Why did you decide to study abroad and why did you choose America?

I chose the USA because I applied for the Fulbright scholarship and got accepted.

Was it always your goal to move abroad to study or work?

Yes, my childhood dream was to be an astronaut with NASA. I knew I was going to go to the USA at some point but didn’t know when and how. So the Fulbright scholarship was a God arranged opportunity for me which I am so thankful for.

Are you funding your own studies or do you have a scholarship? If you have a scholarship please tell us about it and where can others apply for it?

I have a scholarship.

For my masters I was funded by the Fulbright program. Apply here: https://za.usembassy.gov/education-culture/fulbright-postgraduate/

For my Ph.D., I first got a graduate teaching assistantship and then graduate research assistantship from WMU physics department.

Which other websites do you know that shares international opportunities (scholarships, internships or conferences)?

I don’t know or can’t recall any, but try: https://www.iefa.org/

PS: I have not used the above website. I normally follow email advertisement of scholarships and opportunities from some university staff member.

Did you find the preparation process to move to America easy or difficult?

It was easy for me. Fulbright applies to universities on your behalf, takes care of the VISA application, flights, and many other things. So I did not encounter much difficulty with the preparation process. The only challenge was the GRE exam which I regret not thoroughly preparing for. I advise anyone planning to study in USA graduate schools to take the GRE so serious. It actually weights more than your academic transcripts when determining acceptance.

How long did it take you to adjust to living in America?

I don’t know, I was not consciously thinking about that. Perhaps it is because I was used to moving to new places and can easily relate with people. I don’t mind asking for directions or help from strangers. I think I enjoy being the new guy around and I am not shy to ask questions. I can never get used to the very cold winters, it is not my favourite season.

What motivated you to pursue a PhD and how is the experience so far?

I think from a very young age, as a 5 year old, I knew I was called to be a scientist. Space exploration is what captivated my interest at that age but it was eventually my love for mathematics that shaped the kind of scientist I have become. As a theoretical physicist, I use mathematics and computation to develop models that seek to explain the dynamics and properties of certain physical system. It was clear to me, even before I went to university, that to make any significant contribution to science, I need to get a Ph.D. In fact, we would joke with my brother Zweli that the bachelor’s and masters’ degrees are for our parents to hang on their walls and our Ph.D. degrees are really for us. One of our slogans of motivation in undergrad was “ungalala njani unganalo lijazi lelibovu?” – that red Ph.D. graduation gown has been our target. So far, God has been faithful to be with me in this journey. There have been some serious bumps in the road, but by God’s grace, I have overcome them.

What are the advantages and disadvantages for obtaining your qualification abroad?

As a general advantage, currently in SA the perceived value of having a Ph.D. abroad is higher than having it locally. That is because people assume that the USA is more developed and thus has top rated researchers and access to better facilities needed during the Ph.D. training. However, those expectations are not automatically met, it largely depends which university you go to, the supervisor you work with, the project you work on, and the quality of results you get. So at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you got the qualification from, but everyone is more or less judged by the quality of the science reflected in their Ph.D. thesis.

The major disadvantage is of course being away from family and familiar home culture. But that’s also an advantage because you get to learn about other cultures, enjoy their good food, and have friends from different parts of the world.

What are the advantages of being an International student in your University?

The university promotes diversity and has a large percentage of international students. They have many programs that supports them which include assistance to learn English language, funding, entertainment, community building, international student festival, etc. There are also churches that focus their ministry to help international students by providing free lunch and services like giving rides to store and other stuff.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the USA?

The advantage is the good experience and exposure to a diverse mix of cultures. The USA probably has the most mix ethnic groups from all over the world than any other country. They have a good infrastructure and service delivery of basic needs. In the 5 years I have been here, I can count with my fingers the few times the power was down. The police or emergency vehicles respond quickly. There are so many great sites to see and cool things going on, I mean it is USA where so many start here. In academia, most of the best minds in the world are in the country.

The first disadvantage is that the culture feels like people are more isolated and keep to themselves. People value their privacy such that it is normal to live 10 years in a house and never know your neighbours name. In some places people try to know each other but in general, it is a culture of “mind your own business” which is less social than back at home. The second problem is that in some parts of the USA the cities are so spaced out that you need a car to get around. A car is a necessity not a luxury, it’s either you have one or you become a burden on others to give you rides. The third problem is that some areas experience a lot of natural disasters especially hurricanes and earth-quakes. The forth is the gun problem where some “mentally unstable” white guys can randomly shoot people in malls, schools, and other places.

What do you do for fun in your city?

It depends on what I am in the mood for and who I am having fun with. I like playing pool, but I’ve gone for bawling, ice-skating, watch movies in cinema, chilling at the beach, playing tennis, volleyball, card-games, etc.

Are there a lot of South Africans you have met in the USA? If yes, do you guys ever meet up and braai together?

There aren’t a lot of South Africans in the USA. I have met for a braai with a South African family in Columbus, Ohio for Christmas. In Michigan, I used to be in contact with a South African lady that worked at my university and she would bring me some SA food whenever she gets a chance. I feel bad, I still have not returned her bowl she made umphokoqo (liphutfu + emasi) for me. I have met people from Lesotho, Mozambique, and Eswatini.

How many cities have you visited in America? And which one is your favourite?

It is difficult to count the cities but I’ll probably say 9 or 10 states. By far, I would say the most exciting trip is when I visited NASA’s space station at Houston, Texas. I felt like my childhood dream was coming alive, and when I shared it with the people at the conference, everyone was so excited with me. I got to see some of the rockets that took humanity to the moon, learn about important space history, and see cool future projects built at NASA.

How did covid-19 affect your personal life and studies?

Not much, I had issues that coincided with covid-19. Long story short, in 2020 I had a problem that eventually led me to change my supervisor in what was supposed to be my last academic year and start afresh on a new project with a new supervisor in 2021. Those are some of the few bumps in the road that God saw me through. I also appreciate the support of the physics department and my new amazing supervisor, Dr. Elena Litvinova.

What are your future plans?

There is a joke that says “if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans”. I mean to say, my ultimate plan is to fulfil my divine calling/purpose on earth. It was not clear back then, but God used my interests and natural abilities to guide me until grew up to discovered my purpose. I believe I am called to contribute to a three-fold assignment in academia, entrepreneurship, and ministry. I see academia a system of imparting and/or acquiring new knowledge which we call education and research respectively. Likewise I think of entrepreneurship as a process of turning ideas and/or abilities into goods and services that solves problems and can be traded for a financial gain. I envision a future, particularly in Africa, where academia and entrepreneurship are merged by design and not accidental. For example, students with a commercially viable idea should not face the choice of dropping-out of university to start a company. But we must have academia structured in such a way that starting a company can still earn them some credits towards an alternative degree. What matters the most is not the amount of content stuffed in the minds of students but the ability to learn rigorously and solve problems. I envision an academic system, at least in science, that puts more emphasis on the value created when problems are solved (individually and/or in a team) than chasing after grades. It goes without saying that I must lead by example in bridging academia and entrepreneurship, hence more details about myself & research in quantum computation can be found here: https://www.manqobah.com/

As a contribution towards the dream to uplift Africa, I have two projects I hope to work with others to establish. The first is to build an academic city whose major economy will be based on its research output and top-class academic training. This city will also host many world academic conferences and a top choice place for sabbatical leave. The second project is to form African Academic Awards a.k.a. Triple A prize, awarded for exceptional breakthroughs and innovation from African universities and high schools. The award ceremony will be marketed like music awards, and all profits in ticket sales will be used to build modern libraries in the host country’s remote areas. The award ceremony will be once in two years and hosted in different countries in Africa. The purpose of these projects is to uplift both the standard of the education system and quality of academic research in Africa. I invite everyone to be part of this vision.

Finally, for everything to have meaning, we must view it all in the lens of eternity. People may debate on the subject of God, but at the moment of death, when their soul is being separated from the body, they all become conscious of God. They also realize the dreadful fact that they must give an account for all their deeds on earth. If not for Jesus, everyone would be condemned in judgement day, for we all have sinned in some form or another. I am therefore called to be a witness to all that care to listen, of the gospel of the grace of God in Christ Jesus, who died for our sins on the cross. Anyone who puts their faith in Jesus and follows Him, has their sins forgiven and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God. Therefore, I believe that beginning the academic and entrepreneurship journey with eternity in view will bring the greatest impact in our societies. This is because it will produce leaders with integrity who knows that they are accountable to the Almighty God who sees everything.