Titles Without Merit

Francis Machingura is professor and currently the Director for the Centre for Postgraduate Studies, University of Zimbabwe.Munyaradzi Mawere is full professor of African studies at Great Zimbabwe University and professor Extraordinarius of interdisciplinary research at the University of South Africa.

The book thoroughly analyzes ‘titlemania’—a major problem in after-colonial African countries caused by the quest for status, power, and recognition. A must-read for all who want to understand better African societies’ struggles for identity while undergoing breathtaking changes.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Titles Without Meriting? Francis Machingura and Munyaradzi MawereChapter 1: ‘At All Costs’: A Doctorate Degree as Status Symbols in Zimbabwe Reggemore Marongedze and Wellington GadzikwaChapter 2: Mushrooming of Policy-free Doctor of Philosophy (PhD/DPhil) Degrees in Church Related Institutions in Zimbabwe: A Theological Reflection Robert MatikitiChapter 3: PhDs, Politics, Power Deployment, Hegemony, and Performance in Zimbabwe (2008-2017) Pedzisai Ruhanya, Wellington Gadzikwa, and Alexander M RuseroChapter 4: “Mavaona here? Dhokota!” The Nexus between Titled Leadership and Problem-Solving in Communities Innocent Chirisa, Thomas Karakadzai, and Partson ParadzaChapter 5: Gender Dynamics, Academic Titling, and Leadership Dynamics at Higher Tertiary Institutions of Zimbabwe Emelder TagutanazvoChapter 6: Motivation for Doing Doctoral Studies (PhD) in Zimbabwe Attwell Mamvuto, Francis Machingura, and Joice TafirenyikaChapter 7: The Spirit, Theological Training, and PhDs/DPhils Acquisitions in African Pentecostal Churches Nomatter SandeChapter 8: Towards Unmasking the PhD/DPhil Illegal Credential Holders in Zimbabwe: Reading from Inside the Black Box of ‘Doctored Papers’ Lewis MadhlangobeChapter 9: Preventing Excellence in Irrelevance: Interrogating Promotion Criterion for the Universities’ Academe in Zimbabwe Ngoni Makuvaza, Jane Mutasa, and G ZinyekaChapter 10: Supervisor Related Factors Impacting on Doctoral Degree Candidature at a Selected Higher Education Institution in Zimbabwe Joice Tafirenyika, Francis Machingura, and Attwell MamvutoChapter 11: Leadership Quality and Qualifications: Reflection on Job Performance by Titled Public Leadership in Zimbabwe Gift MasengweChapter 12: Professional Titles Matter: The Impact of PhD Acquisition in Religion and Society of Zimbabwe Bednicho NyoniAppendicesAbout the Contributors