A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Global Goals

Nomenjanahary Mamisoa Rakotomalala EP

Andrianjohary is a doctoral student at the GTU and a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship.

GTU: What is your field of study at the GTU? Could you describe the focus of your research?

Nomenjanahary Mamisoa Rakotomalala EP

Andrianjohary: I am a PhD student in the Religion and Practice Department, concentrating on Practical Theology. My work focuses on theological education and feminist practical theology, attempting to engage in reflexive praxis in facing structural and cultural violence. I examine the intersection of gender, religion, and socio-cultural systems to develop consciousness, awareness, and resistance against structural and cultural violence. My scholarship also nurtures leaders of change to strive for justice and liberation.

GTU: What makes the GTU the ideal place to pursue that course of study?

NMRA: The interdisciplinarity that GTU fosters is essential to my work. In my scholarship, I engage at least three disciplines. GTU helps me to understand, practice, and appraise interdisciplinary methods.

GTU: What drew you to the GTU?

NMRA: I chose GTU for my studies because of its interdisciplinary departments, the multiple resources under the consortium, the diversity, and the multi-religious focus. The expertise of GTU faculty also is valuable to my scholarship. Moreover, I am so grateful for the financial support through the Presidential Scholarship offered by GTU. I could continue my education because of this exceptional opportunity.

GTU: What have been some of your favorite or most memorable experiences in your first year at the GTU?

NMRA: The interdisciplinary seminar that I had in my first semester and the support of experienced professors at GTU were my memorable experiences. Also, I cherish the relationship we built within our cohort. The first semester was challenging in many ways. But I am so grateful for the support that this community of students and professors offered one another.

GTU: What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?

NMRA: I hope to teach and continue to write materials as awareness concerning multiple forms of oppression from feminist practical theology lenses. Mainly, I hope to support the seminaries of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar as we face a faculty shortage. Therefore, I plan to train more faculty at the doctoral level and develop or expand current and new seminaries and universities. However, my efforts are also for global impact rather than mainly for my country. Thus, I endeavor to be in academia both locally and internationally.

I also envision my engagement in communities to promote praxis. Therefore, initiating community development at the grassroots level is one of my attempts.

GTU: As the GTU celebrates its 60th anniversary year, we are inviting GTU community members to begin imagining what a brighter future 60 years from now might look like. What does that future look like to you?

NMRA: I envision GTU’s future sustaining a robust academic teaching and research environment that draws on human resources worldwide because of the students’ diversity. As a woman of African descent, I imagine GTU, through its diversity, considering more women from Africa and the Global South as students and professors so that we may continue learning from one another.

GTU: How do you hope your research and work will contribute to that brighter future?

NMRA: As my effort aims at justice in a global scope, I see GTU’s multi-religious focus and dialogue benefitting from my scholarship. GTU engages in international presence and is globally representative as we strive for justice.