Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) medical student Alizwa Boco has taken the University’s commitment to student success onto the international stage, presenting research on the transition from high school to university at an international conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The presentation highlighted the need for universities to look beyond academic performance and provide holistic support that helps students adjust, belong and succeed.
Boco, a 22-year-old fourth-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) student from Sakhela in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, represented SMU at the International Conference on Student Engagement and Success in Higher Education, hosted by World Academics. The conference brought together students, academics and higher education leaders to discuss emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence in education and research, climate change and equitable access to quality education.
Boco presented an abstract titled “From the Gate to Graduation: A Biopsychosocial Approach for Conscious Transition from High School into University Life”. The research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. The abstract was subsequently published in the World Academics Journal on Sustainability, Ethical Innovation, Education and Governance for Societal Progress, marking a significant milestone in Boco’s academic journey.
Drawing on personal experience, the research examines how the transition into university involves more than adapting to academic expectations. It also requires emotional, psychological and social adjustment, supported by an environment that recognises students’ diverse needs. Through a biopsychosocial approach, Boco advocates for a more comprehensive understanding of the first-year experience, considering the relationship between academic demands, personal well-being, social connections and institutional support.
The research also reflects the work of SMU’s Department of Student Affairs through its First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme, which supports First-Time Entering Students (FTENs) as they navigate the demands of higher education. Boco’s approach calls for orientation programmes to go beyond introducing students to university facilities, regulations, and academic requirements, instead creating a welcoming environment that fosters belonging, resilience, and personal development.
The study further emphasises the importance of collaboration among university stakeholders in supporting students throughout their academic journeys. By recognising the challenges students face during their first year, higher education institutions can strengthen engagement, improve adjustment and create conditions that enable more students to progress towards graduation.
Reflecting on the achievement, Boco expressed gratitude to SMU’s Department of Student Affairs, the Internationalisation function and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, led by Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dini Mawela, for supporting student participation in addressing challenges affecting the university community. This support has enabled students to contribute to institutional discussions, develop solutions and participate in peer capacity-building initiatives, helping connect research with practical student support.
Boco’s participation in the Malaysian conference demonstrates the value of empowering students to contribute to international academic discourse and shape conversations about the future of higher education. The research also reinforces the importance of connecting student experience with institutional practice to develop more inclusive and responsive learning environments.
For SMU, the achievement reflects its commitment to excellence in education, student-centred development and research that responds to real-world challenges. Boco hopes the work will encourage universities to adopt more compassionate, collaborative and inclusive approaches to student support, ensuring that success is built on a meaningful welcome and sustained throughout the academic journey.
From the gate to graduation, the goal is clear: every student deserves the support and opportunity to succeed.
By Dimakatso Modise
