To provide women researchers with:

• structured support in writing for publication
• facilitating access to women’s networks and other powerful research networks
• an opportunity to contribute to designing appropriate research related policies that support the career development of women researchers, especially black women researchers at VUT
• an opportunity to co-publish their experience on the program.

VUT in partnership with SANTRUST is offering a “VUT-SANTRUST Ph D Development Programme”. Through this initiative VUT intends to produce reflective academics that have a broad insight into theories, ideas, methods and practices in research.

The aim of the programme is to increase research capacity development and establish quality research. Twenty VUT staff members have been pre-selected by senior VUT academics for the programme

The primary objective of the programme is:

1. aimed at candidates who have completed their Masters and are about to or have registered for their doctoral studies,
2. to ensure the development of a proposal for doctoral studies within one year and thereby ensures a faster completion rate,
3. to bring a research project to a successful conclusion within a specified time frame and budget,
4. to create a complementary learning space between the participating candidates and their respective supervisors so as to ensure the successful completion of the proposal and the dissertation.

Growing the next generation of South African academics at Vaal University of Technology (VUT)

The “Hub and Spokes” model is a structured mentorship development program which aims to bring mentors who are Research Leaders of Strategic Focus Areas at VUT into structured mentoring relations with postgraduate students to support the simultaneous growth of the next generation South African at VUT and leapfrog the development and innovation of the focus areas.  The “Hub” refers to the focus area and Research Leaders or Mentor, while “Spokes” refers to the postgraduate students who work under the guidance of the Mentor.

The Aims and Objectives of the Hub and Spokes Model

1.To provide focused support to facilitate the growth of the next generation of academics at VUT.
2.Strengthen the Critical Mass of a Community of researchers at VUT.
3.To leapfrog the development of strategic research areas.
4.To provide structured support to ensure increased research outputs from strategic academic focus areas.
5.To ensure that postgraduate students are involved in publications of accredited peer reviewed research publications.
6.To support the academic socialisation of mentees through facilitating their involvement in teaching, tutoring and where suitable co-supervision.

Expectations of Mentee’s/Protégé

1. To undertake their postgraduate studies on a full-time basis to ensure completion of the qualification in minimum time. For Masters Students this is 18 months to 24 months and for Doctoral Students this is 3 years.
2. To contribute to the growth and development of the hub/focus area in which he or she will be located.
3. To contribute to accredited research outputs of the VUT.
4. To participate in academic life at VUT including teaching and related responsibilities. However, no more than 20% of the mentee’s/protégé time should be spent on teaching and related activities.

SCHOLARSHIP:

Scholarships are made to strengthen teaching and research interests in the Research Focus Areas.

Doctoral Candidate R150 000-00 per annum;

Masters Candidate R96 000-00 per annum