In 2020, Nelson Mandela University physics professor, Azwinndini Muronga, wrote in the Mail & Guardian about Vhembe’s remarkable performance in the 2019 national senior certificate results. Five years later, he examines what this means for South African education
The main reason is everyone in the region supports a culture of education, with a focus on maths and science
My argument is that the doctorate hasn’t changed nearly enough because universities are essentially conservative spaces.
As universities grapple with the demands of the fourth industrial revolution, it is clear that a radical shift from business as usual is required
Academic spaces are unwelcoming to students of colour. We need to be honest in recognising this
The emerging new world order demands reflexive schools whose graduates address society’s needs
The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences invests in revitalising South Africa’s higher educational spaces
Relevant African content and collaboration are key
The discussion in the thesis around theory is shallow and is likely at a level somewhere between an honours dissertation and a half Masters’ thesis
The figures show that, in real terms, those getting degrees more than doubled in the past 10 years.
The growth of the economy is inextricably linked to scientific advancement, which is why more postgraduate students are needed.
Proper human resource development and career and succession planning in academia are far more important.
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/ 24 September 2010
Dr Anna de Jager received her doctoral degree in religious studies last week during the spring graduation ceremony at UFS.
An advanced studies programme in plant breeding at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus produced seven PhD graduates this year.