Unisa alumni empowered to strengthen postgraduate education

In a remarkable initiative, Unisa called its alumni to contribute their expertise and knowledge to the institution by participating in a comprehensive supervisory training programme offered by the College of Graduate Studies (CGS). The objective was to enhance the university's postgraduate student throughput and strengthen the overall quality of education. The success of this endeavour has been highlighted by the recent certification of the first cohort of alumni who completed the training.

The first cohort

Earlier this year, Unisa proudly awarded certificates to nearly 200 alumni and several other participants who completed the supervisory training successfully. These individuals, holding degrees at PhD and master's levels, are now equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to take on the responsibilities of supervising postgraduate students. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the university's commitment to providing a robust academic environment for its students.

Way forward

The next phase of the journey involves the collaboration between the Alumni Relations Office, CGS and the different colleges within Unisa. The trained alumni supervisors will be presented to the colleges, where they will be strategically deployed based on their areas of expertise and the needs of the university. This placement will ensure that the supervisory talent pool is optimally utilised to benefit both the students and the institution.

Contributing to sustainability

The supervisory training programme is just one of the many ways Unisa alumni have impacted the university's sustainability. Their involvement in various projects and initiatives highlights their commitment to giving back to their alma mater and education. By actively engaging in these initiatives, the alumni community is playing an immeasurable role in shaping the future of Unisa and supporting its mission of providing quality education. More alumni are invited to join the initiative.

If you are interested in participating in the 2023 supervisory training programme cohort or seeking further information, please email PGSP@unisa.ac.za.

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* By Cilla Boucher, Alumni Relations Officer