Mary Chilima was one of the only two students to earn an automatic entry into the doctorate programme at the Gordon Institute of Business Studies. She also earned six distinguished academic awards, becoming the graduate with most awards on the graduation day. The award winner broke records at the University of Pretoria last week as she graduated with her second master’s degree with distinction. Subsequently, she maintained top positions in class and was the best performer with 13 points at Our Lady of Wisdom Secondary School in Blantyre in 1996. She adds: “Progression towards higher education is not guaranteed as they find themselves competing for secondary school selection.