From top student to lecturer: Hope Masinge’s academic dream takes shape

Two years after declaring her ambition to pursue a PhD and inspire future built-environment professionals, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) graduate Hope Masinge is already turning that vision into reality.

Department of Building Sciences part-time lecturer Hope Masinge celebrates earning her Master of Building Science degree. Now a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment’s (FEBE) Department of Building Sciences, Masinge earned her Master of Building Science in less than a year, marking another significant milestone in her academic journey at the University’s Spring Graduations on 13 October 2026.

“Two years ago, I was a student sitting in those lecture rooms, saying I wanted to be an academic one day, so standing in front of the class now still feels a little surreal. The same people who taught me are now my colleagues, and that’s humbling. It reminds me that dreams you say out loud can come true if you’re willing to work on them,” she said.

Masinge’s academic track record reflects a steady pursuit of excellence. In 2024, she achieved an 80% average in her Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying and received the Dean’s Scholarship. She followed this achievement by completing her Postgraduate Diploma cum laude with an 84% average in 2025.

Her academic achievements continued at postgraduate level, where she was named the second-best presenter at the FEBE Research Day for her master’s research. In April 2026, Masinge added another accolade to her growing list of achievements when she received the Best Lecturer award for the Diploma programme at the Department of Building Sciences’ awards.

After enrolling for her master’s degree in early 2025, she completed the qualification in less than a year while balancing the demands of research and teaching.

“It took a lot of discipline, early mornings and late nights, a few cries here and there, and saying no to many things I would have liked to say yes to. There were moments when the workload felt heavy, but I kept reminding myself of my goal: to one day earn my doctoral degree and become Dr Hope L. Masinge,” she said.

Her research, titled Towards Smarter Cost Estimation: Integrating Explainable AI with BIM and Digital Twins, explores how emerging technologies can enhance transparency and accuracy in construction cost estimation.

As the built environment increasingly embraces digital technologies, Masinge believes research of this nature could help construction professionals improve the way they plan, analyse and manage project costs.

“Cost estimation is at the heart of every construction project, yet many AI tools work like a black box: they give you a number but not the reasoning behind it. That lack of transparency makes it hard for professionals to trust the results. I wanted to explore how explainable AI, combined with BIM and digital twins, can show not just what the estimate is, but why. My hope is that this will help quantity surveyors and project teams make more informed, transparent and confident decisions, and contribute to more reliable cost management in the South African construction industry,” she explained.

Hope Masinge with her supervisor, Dr Rudzani Muthelo, who guided her master’s journey. For Masinge, teaching has become another important part of her academic journey. She finds it particularly rewarding to see students grasp concepts they initially find challenging. “Because I was in their position not long ago, I understand the pressure and the questions they carry, and that shapes how I teach. I try to make the content practical and relevant to what they will face in industry,” she said.

Reflecting on her graduation journey, Masinge expressed gratitude to her family, friends, supervisors and colleagues for supporting her along the way. She particularly acknowledged Dr Rudzani Muthelo and Ms Bontle Chabaesele for their support.

With her master’s degree now secured, Masinge is already looking towards the next chapter. Her goals are to register as a Professional Quantity Surveyor and pursue a PhD in Quantity Surveying, bringing her closer to the academic ambitions she first shared in 2024.

Hope Masinge with her supervisor, Dr Rudzani Muthelo, and co-supervisors Bogolo Ntombela and Molebogeng Makofane.