A Zimbabwean scholar has earned global recognition after achieving the remarkable feat of graduating with two doctoral degrees simultaneously, both awarded with the highest distinction of Summa Cum Laude.
Caroline Makoni received a Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership (CIML), alongside a second doctorate from the University of California. In addition, she was honoured as the Overall Best Student of 2025 by CIML.
Makoni’s groundbreaking research addresses a critical national challenge: strengthening local technical skills through structured knowledge transfer from expatriates. Her study focuses on Zimbabwe’s emerging oil and gas sector and offers actionable solutions to counter the persistent skills shortage worsened by decades of brain drain.
The research provides evidence-based, policy-relevant frameworks aimed at improving firm performance and enhancing national competitiveness in strategic industries. Emphasising the importance of an integrated approach, Makoni called for closer collaboration between academia, industry and government ministries.
She highlighted the key roles of the Skills Audit and Development ministry, the Energy and Power Development ministry, and the Higher and Tertiary Education ministry in ensuring sustainable human capital development.
Experts say Makoni’s achievement not only underscores Zimbabwe’s intellectual potential but also reinforces the importance of advanced education and targeted skills development as foundational pillars for the country’s socio-economic growth.
Source – Newsday
