Doctoral Education in South Africa

Abstract

Worldwide, in Africa and in South Africa, the importance of the doctorate has increased disproportionately in relation to its share of the overall graduate output over the past decade. This heightened attention has not only been concerned with the traditional role of the PhD, namely the provision of future academics; rather, it has focused on the increasingly important role that higher education - and, particularly, high-level skills - is perceived to play in national development and the knowledge economy. This book is unique in the area of research into doctoral studies because it draws on a large number of studies conducted by the Centre of Higher Education Trust (CHET) and the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), as well as on studies from the rest of Africa and the world. In addition to the historical studies, new quantitative and qualitative research was undertaken to produce the evidence base for the analyses presented in the book.The findings presented in Doctoral Education in South Africa pose anew at least six tough policy questions that the country has struggled with since 1994, and continues to struggle with, if it wishes to gear up the system to meet the target of 5 000 new doctorates a year by 2030. Discourses framed around the single imperatives of growth, efficiency, transformation or quality will not, however, generate the kind of policy discourses required to resolve these tough policy questions effectively. What is needed is a change in approach that accommodates multiple imperatives and allows for these to be addressed simultaneously.

Leveraging Technology to Bridge the Gap between Independent Artists and Reaching the Right Consumer

“…The spike in visitation statistics is a clear example of how the artist can benefit from independent campaigns with no direct relation to his brand or musical content. This is supported by the positive feedback on growth in popularity and brand feedback by respondents (Cloete, 2015; Saptoe, 2015; Vlaktes, 2015).…”

“…They have however agreed that the broader reach to a fan base which has already shown interest in other artists who appeal to the same demographic (Cloete, 2015; Saptoe, 2015). Vlaktes (2015) believes that the combined content of artists has allowed Rymklets Republiek to grow to its size and has over time become the preferred channel for Afrikaans Hip-Hop content.…”

Exploring student persistence to completion in a Master of Public Health programme in South Africa

“…[1] The poor supervision capacity is further exacerbated by a low number of academic staff with doctoral degrees. [12] The lack of SA academics with doctoral degrees is a major constraint regarding supervision capacity in most institutions. [12,13] A number of initiatives are currently in place to increase the proportion of academic staff with doctorates.…”

“…[12] The lack of SA academics with doctoral degrees is a major constraint regarding supervision capacity in most institutions. [12,13] A number of initiatives are currently in place to increase the proportion of academic staff with doctorates. [14] The paucity of academic staff with doctoral degrees is common in most developing countries.…”

“…[14] The paucity of academic staff with doctoral degrees is common in most developing countries. [12] In the midst of the contextual challenges, the reasons foregrounded by the participants as contributing to their persistence in the MPH programme were professionally and personally motivated. The MPH degree is perceived as a qualification facilitating career progression, higher levels of remuneration and entry into leadership positions in the health sector.…”