Dr Kelechi Bukola Babatunde loses her beloved mum and goes through a divorce while studying for her doctorate in construction management
An international student has overcome two major personal difficulties on the way to following in her sister’s footsteps and completing her PhD at the University of Central Lancashire.
Dr Kelechi Bukola Babatunde suffered the heartbreak of losing her much loved mother and went through a challenging divorce while studying for her doctorate in construction management.
She also had to balance her intensive studies with working part-time as a lecturer in construction project management at the University.
Kelechi, who hails from Nigeria but lives locally in Preston, said: “There were so many times when I wanted to quit my studies.
“I separated from my ex-partner in 2020, and eventually went through the divorce process. It was quite challenging and very frustrating at the time. I wanted to quit my studies but thanks to my supervisory team, my family and friends, I kept on with it as they consistently encouraged me and helped me to persevere through the process.
“I then lost my mother in the final year of the PhD. Losing her was the hardest phase of my life. I really struggled to carry on, again but I knew she would have loved me to complete my PhD, so I found strength and support from the people around me to persevere.”
"I really struggled to carry on, again but I knew she would have loved me to complete my PhD, so I found strength and support from the people around me to persevere"
— New PhD graduate Dr Kelechi Bukola Babatunde
Kelechi, who undertook her undergraduate degree in physics at Benue State University in her homeland, followed in her older sister’s footsteps by coming across to study in Preston.
“My elder sister Dr Chinyere Ajayi completed her PhD in gender-based violence at the University of Central Lancashire in 2020 and she spoke very highly of the university, so I was delighted when I got accepted for the PhD programme,” commented Kelechi.
“I am so excited I’ve now graduated. It’s been so tough, and I would never have believed it at times, but I’ve finally achieved my dream and I know my mum would be so proud of my achievement.”
Kelechi completed a master’s degree in project management before embarking on her PhD.
She added: “I love to teach, and one of the criteria to lecture in higher education is to have, or almost completed, a PhD. So, I proceeded with a PhD and my research explored the application of the traditional and agile project management methodologies in managing UK construction projects.
“My PhD equipped me with comprehensive knowledge about the UK construction industry, construction project management methodologies, whilst also amplifying my analytical, critical and research skills. I now can’t wait to share that knowledge with my students as they start off on their own career paths.”
Kelechi joined more than 4,000 students who took to the graduation stage of the University’s Sir Tom Finney Centre this week.