Contributions to Postgraduate Provision

Given the University's commitment to increase the number of students with postgraduate qualifications and to provide support to address their needs, CHED aims to:

• identify ways to complement the work of the disciplines
• strengthen extra-disciplinary collaboration with other support entities such as the Library, Postgraduate Funding Office and Student Affairs
• explore emerging issues and draw these to the attention of relevant structures

We are currently contributing in the following areas:

1. Support for PhDs at critical junctures in the journey

Doctoral Retreat
Every year CHED invites PhD students registered in their second year of the degree, to a residential doctoral retreat. The aim of the retreat is to stimulate the development of a vibrant intellectual community of postgraduate students across disciplinary and institutional lines at UCT. The retreat is held in September. Applications should be submitted to Kathy Erasmus during October.

Starting the PhD Journey
An all day workshop held in March/April hosted by the Centre for Higher Education Development for students in the first year of doctoral studies. The emphasis is on introducing students to the resources on offer at UCT, and providing a forum for students to share experiences and build relationships for the PhD experience ahead.

Enquiries: Kathy Erasmus

Time to submit: Workshop for students close to submission
The workshop is intended to support students in the final stages of dissertation writing and submission, as well as to raise awareness of decisions and opportunities beyond completion of the PhD. The workshop will include topics such as: writing the dissertation abstract, where arguments are sharply pulled together for an outside readership; an A-Z of submission checklist; publishing after the PhD - book, articles, or both; updating your curriculum vitae; postdoctoral appointments and other opportunities

Enquiries: Kathy Erasmus

2. Writing support for students

• Tailor-made interventions (workshops, writer circles and seminars) for Honours and coursework Masters programmes
• One-to-one consultations in the Writing Centre
• Workshops on aspects of writing offered in conjunction with the Postgraduate Students Association (PGSA)

Enquiries: Lucia Thesen

3. Careers Service

The Careers Service (CS) offers postgraduate students access to career resources and individual advice sessions, and connects them to a range of career opportunities. These services are available throughout the year.

• Ongoing career talks and workshops assist students with career planning and the job search process. Our "CV Development for Postgraduate Students" workshops assist postgraduate students by helping them analyse and promote their skills, qualifications, experiences and attributes, and also identify ways to improve their employability.
• Career Conversations are a series of presentations by UCT alumni from varied disciplines and career fields about their study and career journeys.
• Our Career Information Centre houses customised postgraduate career and job search resources. Dedicated workstations are available for career research and preparing job applications.
• Students can also register online to receive notifications of job opportunities, and CS events and services.

4.The Vula collaboration and learning environment
Contact: help@vula.uct.ac.za

Vula is used extensively by postgraduate students to:

• develop online artifacts, gather readings and research data and as a reflective learning space
• collaborate with other students and academics both within and beyond UCT
• undertake surveys and polls
• pre submission checking of thesis and dissertations against the Turnitin Plagiarism service

Vula is also extensively used by teaching departments and faculties to facilitate communication and collaboration amongst their students. In taught postgraduate modules, Vula is widely used to enable the delivery of course readers and handouts.

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