Country’s latest PhD graduate is breaking new ground in technology

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Dr Na-Ajele Gadija Williams Buffonge (Photo contributed)
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Educational technology is the theme of research undertaken by Antigua and Barbuda’s newest PhD graduate.

And given the unprecedented challenges the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked on teaching, it could not have come at a more opportune time.

Dr Na-Ajele Gadija Williams Buffonge’s dissertation is entitled, ‘Caribbean lecturers’ believed barriers to technology adoption from a tertiary viewpoint’.

The Walden University graduate has lectured at the University of West Indies for more than a decade and has served as a practicum supervisor at UWI’s Open Campus. She has also enjoyed an illustrious career at the Antigua State College for more than 16 years. She holds a Master’s of Science in education and undergraduate degrees in English and education.

Her groundbreaking research examines the adoption of educational technology.

“I decided to explore this topic in 2011 because it was relatively new to the Caribbean’s educational arena and I felt that it could positively impact students’ learning and enrich the teaching methods of lecturers,” Dr Williams Buffonge said.

“I never imagined that we would be facing a global pandemic that would force educators and guardians to rely on technology as the primary method for teaching students of all ages.

“I am committed to capitalising on this moment and taking the opportunity to share my research and knowledge with key stakeholders and assist them with strategies that will enable them to overcome barriers to technology adoption through innovation and collaboration.”

Her research is said to have filled a huge gap and put Antigua and Barbuda – and the wider Caribbean – on the map by providing regional data that can inform current academic discourse about the impacts of technology adoption in education.

The proud graduate said she plans to continue to pursue this area of research and she also hopes to mentor students and lecturers so that they too can reach their academic goals and contribute to the betterment of the twin island nation.

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