Meet the First Black Female PhD in Applied Data Science from the University of Johannesburg

Meet the First Black Female PhD in Applied Data Science from the University of Johannesburg

  • One young lady has broken the barrier after being named the first black female recipient of a PhD in Applied Data Science from the University of Johannesburg
  • The woman expressed that conducting both school and employment was challenging and revealed that giving up was not an option
  • Her study focused on creating a procedural model that would detect and reduce bias in artificial intelligence (AI) models before they were put into use

This young woman is changing the narratives after being named the black female recipient of PhD in Applied Data Science from the University of Johannesburg.

This young lady became the first black female to get a PhD in applied data science from the University of Johannesburg. Image: Rhandzu Chauke Rhandzu Chauke and Kensani Khenz Xivuri.
A woman obtained her PhD and became the first black female to earn a PhD in Applied Data Science from the University of Johannesburg. Image: Rhandzu Chauke Rhandzu Chauke and Kensani Khenz Xivuri.
Source: Facebook

Young woman breaks barriers

According to the University of Johannesburg News, a lady named Khensani Xivuri graduated from the institution in 2024 with flying colours. The woman obtained a PhD in Applied Data Science from the university. Speaking on her journey, Dr Xivuri told the institution that it was not easy to juggle between academics and employment. She also shared what the beginning of her journey was like.

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"At first, red marks adorned nearly every submission from the supervisor, but progress eventually emerged," she said to the publication.

She expressed that from early childhood, her father taught her never to give up once she began with something, and those words carried her through the journey.

Dr Xivuri's research on prejudice in artificial intelligence models

Her study was on creating a procedural model that would detect and reduce bias in artificial intelligence (AI) models before use.

She illustrated how an algorithm based on false assumptions could unfairly affect people by giving an example of how a black lady might be wrongfully denied a home loan or have her interest rate increased due to incorrect credit scoring. This served to highlight the negative effects of bias.

Khensani was born into the village of Peninghotsa, Malamulele, in the province of Limpopo, and achieved great success through resilience and determination. Her story shows the value of perseverance and pursuing one's goals in the face of adversity.

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Take a look at the full post.

Young nurse's phenomenal journey inspires online community

Briefly News previously reported that a young woman's story took the internet by storm, and many were left inspired by the woman's life journey.

A post by Sylvia Maseko on LinkedIn highlighted the journey of the phenomenal young nurse who shocked the nation with her impressive achievements and accolades. According to the post shared by Sylvia Maseko on the social media platform, Dr Maurine Musie is a midwifery specialist and PhD holder in nursing and neonatal sciences at the University of Pretoria.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Johana Mukandila avatar

Johana Mukandila (Editor) Johana Tshidibi Mukandila has been a Human Interest Reporter at Briefly News since 2023. She holds a national diploma in journalism from the Cape Peninsula University Of Technology (2023). She has worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, PAICTA, BONA Magazine and Albella Music Production. She is currently furthering her education in journalism at the CPUT. She has passed a set of trainings from Google News Initiative. Reach her at johana.mukandila@briefly.co.za