By Chidi Joseph Nicholas
THE GOOD NEWS
Contrary to popular opinion, I had always wanted to study within an african setting different from my home country-Nigeria. My close friends and colleagues can attest to this and I still cannot explain this because it comes from within me. This does not mean that I will not take other opportunities outside the continent but I truly cannot have an undying love for my continent especially, southern africa.
Well, my dream came true on the 2nd of June 2023, when PAPSSN scholarship award letter came to my email. I had applied when the call was open and prayed that it comes through and it did in such a manner that I least expected. There in a school in the ancient town of Nsukka, Nigeria, where I was teaching secondary school students, I got the exciting news that morning and my joy knew no bounds. Without much hesitation I began to prepare for 24 months away from home. What a joy this brought to my family, church and friends.
…..Life In Zambia…..
Life in Zambia is quite different from the life I used to know. Beginning from the language to the staple food and the culture as well as the people were all unique in their different ways. I learnt part of the Bemba Language for communication during buying from the locals and during transits within the town. I struggled for some time until I adapted. I did not find it too difficult to relate with the locals beause they were quite friendly and open. I’d say that I had the best of time with people even of different origin from the hostel to the place worship (Church) and even at the market place.THE GOOD NEWS
Contrary to popular opinion, I had always wanted to study within an african setting different from my home country-Nigeria. My close friends and colleagues can attest to this and I still cannot explain this because it comes from within me. This does not mean that I will not take other opportunities outside the continent but I truly cannot have an undying love for my continent especially, southern africa.
Well, my dream came true on the 2nd of June 2023, when PAPSSN scholarship award letter came to my email. I had applied when the call was open and prayed that it comes through and it did in such a manner that I least expected. There in a school in the ancient town of Nsukka, Nigeria, where I was teaching secondary school students, I got the exciting news that morning and my joy knew no bounds. Without much hesitation I began to prepare for 24 months away from home. What a joy this brought to my family, church and friends.
RESEARCH PHASE- ANOTHER LOAD OF OPPORTUNITIES
I was privileged to be supervised by Dr Saul Phiri (Copperbelt University) and Prof. James O. Chibueze (University of South Africa, UNISA). First, I was invited to UNISA center of Astrophysics and Space Science for a 3 month data collection and analysis working under my second supervisor. This offered me the opportunity to meet amazing intellectuals and researchers at the University, and that gave me strong support for my research. I had the privilege of actively participating in the 2025 AfAS conference in person and served as part of the local workforce since the last edition was hosted by the University of South Africa. I was also privileged to attend the International Astronomical Union General Assembly in Cape Town. These are amazing opportunities that were far from been reached on my own. These and more are openings that I am deeply grateful for!
…Research Work….
I worked on MeerKAT and ALMA study of 15 Massive Galactic HII regions (Msc project- submitted) 2025. I used MeerKAT and ALMA data to study the Galactic massive HII regions to test the excitation mechanism of H30 alpha radio recombination line.
I also analyzed and interpreted the moment maps of the H30 Alpha RRL detections. The research has built me in radio astronomy and equipped me for the challenges ahead – PhD as well as life’s challenges especially in a very different environment.
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
I must give my unreserved gratitude to the Almighty God, who first gave me life, grace, wisdom, health and strength to study up to this level. He has been my Help even when the journey became really tough, to Him alone be all the glory.
My studies and research were facilitated by the Pan African and Planetary Space Science Network’s (PAPSSN) generous funding. It gave hope for people like me to study without being weighed down by the weight of financial constraints. I am indeed very privileged and grateful. Worthy of mention are Prof. Fulvio Franchi (now University of Bari in Italy), Ms Gadibotsile Chakandinakira, Ms Portia and the entire PAPSSN team at BIUST for their continous support and help during this phase of my academic journey.
I am sincerely grateful to my host institution and my supervisors, Dr. Saul .P. Phiri and Prof. James. O. Chibueze, for their invaluable guidance, exceptional mentorship, and constant encouragement throughout the course of my course work and research. I am also deeply thankful for the knowledge they imparted and skills learnt especially during my research visit to South Africa. Their dedication to teaching and research has been a source of inspiration and has greatly enriched my academic foundation. Their expertise and constructive feedback have been undeniably essential to the completion of this research.
