Postgraduate Research Support Programme (PRSP)
Introduction
Success in postgraduate education is often measured by the retention rate of students, which is the proportion of students who complete their studies within a specific cohort. High retention rates indicate success, while low retention rates or high dropout rates indicate less success. In South Africa, the higher education system faces a persistent issue of high dropout rates. For example, in 2001, the dropout rate was 20%, and this high rate has continued in subsequent years (DHET 2013; 2021). This statistic is due to various factors, including financial problems, academic unpreparedness, difficulties balancing study and work, and psychological issues. Students often experience immense pressure, feelings of isolation and incompetence, self-doubt, and struggles with stress.
Given that 40% to 60% of doctoral candidates lack the persistence needed to complete their degrees (Chamadia & Qureshi, 2021), highlighting the demanding nature of postgraduate studies and the resilience required for success. The Postgraduate Research Support Programme (PRSP) is essential in addressing challenges in postgraduate education by providing supplementary training to improve research skills, such as writing research proposals, formulating problem statements, and mastering research methodologies. This ultimately contributes to higher success rates in postgraduate studies. PRSP is an initiative to provide comprehensive academic support to the University of South Africa (UNISA) postgraduate students. This programme aims to equip Masters and Doctoral students with essential skills and tools to navigate their research journeys effectively. Our virtual offerings cover a wide array of topics relevant to postgraduate research.
Objectives
Our primary objectives are at the heart of the PRSP, each designed to enhance the postgraduate experience and set them up for success. These objectives are:
Provide supplementary training to enhance research skills, including writing research proposals, formulating problem statements, and mastering research methodologies.
Offer comprehensive support throughout the postgraduate lifecycle, from proposal writing to thesis/ dissertation completion.
Host workshops/webinars at convenient times (Thursdays, 18:00-19:00) to accommodate students who cannot attend daytime sessions.
Improve students' ability to communicate their research effectively through various mediums.
Equip students with essential life skills, including managing student-supervisor relationships, applying for funding, and handling ethical considerations in research.
Programme Components
Introduction
Success in postgraduate education is often measured by the retention rate of students, which is the proportion of students who complete their studies within a specific cohort. High retention rates indicate success, while low retention rates or high dropout rates indicate less success. In South Africa, the higher education system faces a persistent issue of high dropout rates. For example, in 2001, the dropout rate was 20%, and this high rate has continued in subsequent years (DHET 2013; 2021). This statistic is due to various factors, including financial problems, academic unpreparedness, difficulties balancing study and work, and psychological issues. Students often experience immense pressure, feelings of isolation and incompetence, self-doubt, and struggles with stress.
Given that 40% to 60% of doctoral candidates lack the persistence needed to complete their degrees (Chamadia & Qureshi, 2021), highlighting the demanding nature of postgraduate studies and the resilience required for success. The Postgraduate Research Support Programme (PRSP) is essential in addressing challenges in postgraduate education by providing supplementary training to improve research skills, such as writing research proposals, formulating problem statements, and mastering research methodologies. This ultimately contributes to higher success rates in postgraduate studies. PRSP is an initiative to provide comprehensive academic support to the University of South Africa (UNISA) postgraduate students. This programme aims to equip Masters and Doctoral students with essential skills and tools to navigate their research journeys effectively. Our virtual offerings cover a wide array of topics relevant to postgraduate research.
Objectives
Our primary objectives are at the heart of the PRSP, each designed to enhance the postgraduate experience and set them up for success. These objectives are:
Provide supplementary training to enhance research skills, including writing research proposals, formulating problem statements, and mastering research methodologies.
Offer comprehensive support throughout the postgraduate lifecycle, from proposal writing to thesis/ dissertation completion.
Host workshops/webinars at convenient times (Thursdays, 18:00-19:00) to accommodate students who cannot attend daytime sessions.
Improve students' ability to communicate their research effectively through various mediums.
Equip students with essential life skills, including managing student-supervisor relationships, applying for funding, and handling ethical considerations in research.
Programme Components