First Construction Management PhD at UKZN

Dr Nishani Harinarain has earned herself a PhD in
Construction Management, the very first awarded
by UKZN.

Not only is UKZN Lecturer Dr Nishani Harinarain the University’s first PhD graduate in Construction Management, she is also a woman achieving in a male-dominated environment. 

Harinarain, who was supervised by Dean and Head of the School of Engineering, Professor Cristina Trois and by Professor Theodore Haupt, produced a dissertation titled: “Effective HIV and AIDS Management:  A South African Construction Sector Model”. 

‘The South African construction industry in particular has lagged behind other sectors in responding corporately to the threats of the HIV/Aids pandemic,’ said Trois.  

‘A successful and sustainable construction industry demands a healthy, productive workforce.  Dr Nishani Harinarain, developed a model to effectively manage HIV and AIDS in the South African construction industry using structural equation modeling.’   

Trois said Harinarian had contributed to the existing body of knowledge and theory with her model, which if implemented would drive corporate response and behaviour in this important sector.   

‘According to the corps of international examiners, Nishani’s work has the potential to majorly impact the political and social agendas in terms of its change catalystic value relative to reducing the catastrophic effects of HIV and AIDS,’ said Trois. 

‘I am very proud to be the first person at UKZN to graduate with a PhD in Construction Management,’ said Harinarian, who lectures in UKZN’s property development programme.