Postgraduate Seminar Lays a Foundation for Research Excellence

BY: .

A two-day seminar recently organised by the College of Law and Management Studies laid a foundation for research excellence by providing a platform for postgraduate students to present their research and receive constructive feedback.  

College Dean of Research, Professor Nomthandazo Ntlama, said the seminar is part of an on-going College-wide strategic commitment to “build an institutional culture of research by providing an opportunity for postgraduate and doctoral fellows to present their research papers to their peers in a welcoming and supportive environment”.  

She emphasised that the seminar reinforces the momentum which also saw the College hosting a Research Day at Pietermaritzburg campus in September. ‘This seminar is in line with the objective of the University that requires the College to nurture its postgraduate students in the production of knowledge that is both local and global in its context,’ said Ntlama.  

In this instance, the College is “committed to empowering its postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows to produce quality research that contributes to the betterment of society”. 

The seminar featured 10 research presentations from postgraduate students from various Disciplines and Schools within the College. Presenters then received feedback from academics on how they could potentially improve their research by exploring alternative methodologies, and on procedural aspects of the research process. 

Students were also given insight into the administrative aspects of the research process. A presentation from Professor Roger Mason from the Durban University of Technology provided a perspective from external examiners, while Academic Leader for Research and Higher Degrees at the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance (MIG), Professor Brian McArthur, spoke about the administrative process for examination. Dr Given Mutinta, also from MIG, addressed the issue of students’ responsibility.  

Dr Bev Soane from The Writing Place gave feedback on the quality of writing and critical thinking skills, while Dr Brett van Niekerk, a Postdoctoral Fellow from the School of MIG, gave an overview of the publishing process for accepted papers.  

The papers presented at the seminar will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. 

-          Thandiwe Jumo