Ouagadougou: Harouna Derra has earned his doctorate in educational sciences, specializing in andragogy. He successfully defended his doctoral thesis on Friday at Norbert Zongo University (UNZ) in Koudougou, on the topic: 'Effects of adult literacy according to the REFLECT formula on their socio-professional experience in Burkina Faso.'
According to Burkina Information Agency, the defense ceremony was held under the chairmanship of Professor L©opold Bawala Badolo, full professor of genetic and differential psychology at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University. The thesis director, Professor Fran§ois Sawadogo, a full professor in cognitive psychology of learning at Norbert Zongo University, was assisted by the co-director, Dr. Ya ‰veline Tour©, a lecturer in educational psychology at the ‰cole Normale Sup©rieure of Abidjan (Ivory Coast).
The jury also included two rapporteurs, Professor Afsata Par©, full professor of educational sciences at UNZ, and Dr. Dom Dodzi, lecturer at the University of Lom© (Togo), as well as an examiner, Dr. Daouda Kouma, lecturer in social psychology at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University.
According to the chairman of the jury, Professor L©opold Badolo, the thesis presented by Mr. Derra addresses "a relevant and topical theme, well structured and defended with clarity." He praised the quality of the document, the candidate's mastery of the subject, and the relevance of the arguments put forward, while encouraging him to further his research on adult literacy, a crucial issue for the development of Burkina Faso.
The thesis supervisor, Professor Fran§ois Sawadogo, for his part, emphasized the added value of the research. "Mr. Derra was able to demonstrate the contributions of the REFLECT formula, on a social, economic, and personal level. He also highlighted the difficulties encountered in the field in popularizing it and formulated relevant recommendations for non-formal sector stakeholders," he stated.
In his speech, the new doctor Harouna Derra explained that his research stemmed from two observations: the slow progress of the adult literacy rate between 2018 and 2022, and the low enthusiasm for the REFLECT formula. Its results show that this approach contributes positively to the social, economic, and professional development of literate adults.
In this capacity, he formulated several recommendations, including strengthening the andragogical dimension of the formula and promoting its use by the State through the competent structures. After deliberation, the jury commended the scientific rigor and relevance of the work. They unanimously awarded Mr. Harouna Derra the degree of Doctor of Education with highest honors and encouraged him to incorporate the observations made into the final version of his thesis.
The ceremony, marked by solemnity and emotion, brought together parents, friends, colleagues, and supervisors who came to show their support and congratulate the new doctor on this brilliant academic career.