Doctoral training centres in collaboration with universities in the UK Ahmed C Bawa Research and Innovation Dialogue May 31, 2018

CONTEXT TO PHD PRODUCTION IN S AFRICA South African universities produce about 2,400 PhDs pa. NDP suggests a target of 5,000 PhDs pa. by 2030. Size of the pipeline. Average age of completion is just above 44. Effects of a small system. Full time versus part time. Disciplinary distortions. SUSTAINABILITY OF ACADEMIC ENTERPRISE

OPTIONS OPEN TO US Send students abroad. Build larger research enterprises (groups, centres) here. Broaden the base of institutions that offer quality PhDs. Use international collaborations. Use local doctoral training centres. Use international partnerships as basis for doctoral training centres.

DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRES PROJECT Investigate the possibility of setting up joint doctoral training centres (DTCs) between South African and UK universities.  The DTC experience in the UK has been both extensive and successful. Mathematics, Statistics and Data Analytics. Food Security Energy Security. USAf, NRF and UUK worked on very substantial workshop.

DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRES Consortia in UK work with consortia in South Africa.  Students will register and graduate at home institutions. Co-teaching. Co-supervision. Student mobility. Academic mobility.

NEXT STEPS A second workshop of the academics involved. (Later this year) Convene discussions at SA universities to permit DTC approach.  Create South African consortia. Identify partner institutions/consortia in UK. Look for additional strategic areas. Find money.

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