Addressing students at a welcome and orientation session hosted by the Centre for Postgraduate Studies on 9 February 2010 at the Bellville campus, Prof Stephanie Burton said the centre is a “visible, dedicated and interested point of contact” for all postgraduate students.
Established in 2009, the centre aims to enhance the profile of postgraduate activity at CPUT and attract students into the institution’s research community.
Prof Burton, who is at the helm of the centre, said they are also tasked with raising awareness of potential technology innovation as an outcome of postgraduate research.
However, the main task of the centre is to provide a range of support services to postgraduate students.
Prof Burton said pursuing a postgraduate degree is hard work and the skills required are different from those needed to complete an undergraduate degree or diploma.
“Postgraduate students need a wide vision and broad integrated training to understand what it means to be a researcher and what it means to be an academic,” said Prof Burton.
Referring to the centre as a “one-stop-shop” point of contact for postgraduate students, Prof Burton said they offer dedicated support and assistance in all of the processes involved in postgraduate study.
The support services include workshops, seminars, training, mentoring, bursaries and assistance with administration linked to postgraduate studies.
The centre is currently in the process of putting in place policies to ensure that their activities are in line with the priorities of CPUT and establishing committees that will oversee postgraduate activities.
Dr Chris Nhlapo, DVC Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships encouraged students to make use of the services offered by the centre.
He said it is vital for South Africa to increase the number of doctorate graduates.
Currently South African produces only 1 100 doctorate graduates a year.
However, Dr Nhlapo said he is positive, that with the help of the centre, CPUT will play a vital role in South Africa by producing highly skilled individuals.
By Candes Keating
Photograph: Head of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies Prof Stephanie Burton and DVC Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships Dr Chris Nhlapo meet some of the new postgraduates
