Postgraduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch : an exploration of students' perceptions

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Changing circumstances and new initiatives have made it necessary forHigher Education institutions to reflect on all aspects of their teachingportfolios. Recent global and national trends have had numerousimplications for different aspects of the university as an entity, which in turnhave important implications for teaching, and particularly postgraduateteaching. The need for greater transparency and efficiency is forcinguniversities into discussions around facing these challenges. Theoverarching aims of this study were twofold: firstly, to identify historical andcurrent tendencies and patterns in postgraduate studies at the University ofStellenbosch and secondly, to determine the enabling and constrainingfactors relating to postgraduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch. Itwas decided to focus on both completed postgraduate students (years 1991- 1999) as well as current postgraduate students (year 2000). Furthermore,postgraduate was defined as relating to all Master's and Doctoralstudents at the University of Stellenbosch.The empirical research for this study included three components. Firstly,two postal surveys were carried out at the University of Stellenbosch in2000 in order to explore a representative sample of postgraduate students'attitudes and perceptions. Secondly, a secondary data analysis of existingdata on the University database for postgraduate students was carried outin order to do an estimate of success- and follow through rates. Finally,interviews were conducted with coordinators of four postgraduateprogrammes at different departments in the Faculty of Arts at the Universityof Stellenbosch.Results show that the nature of postgraduate studies at the Universityfollows the same form of dynamics, diversity and complexity thatcharacterizes postgraduate studies worldwide. Although there has been anexceptional increase in the number of postgraduate students over the pastdecade, completion rates have stayed the same. This increase in numbersplaces enormous additional administrative, academic and managerialdemands on the University. Although postgraduate students (bothcompleted and current students) seem to have a general positive perceptionof the University, its academic and administrative services as well as thequality of postgraduate supervision, there are certain aspects that can stillbe improved upon. For example: the University has to realize that althoughthe completion rates of postgraduate students have reasonably stayed thesame over the last decade, the number of students who did not completeincreased with almost 50%. The University has to put structures in place inorder to cope with the increasing demands these students are placing onadministration, departments and supervisors. Also, although it seems as ifthe University are open to the trends in higher education, they are nottotally geared for part-time and non-resldentlal students. All fourprogrammes in the Arts Faculty were initiated by individual academicswithin the departments. In terms of managing postgraduate students withindepartments, it seems that greater standardization regarding aspects ofadmission, administrative support, requirements for research proposals,examination and guidelines for the research components are needed.Supervisors and students both need to know what is expected from them.In terms of the supervisory process, supervisors must have guidelines interms of what their responsibilities are and they have to realize theimportance of their task. Students need to be informed about their rightsand the whole process of postgraduate studies.Overall, it is the responsibility of the University, together with itspostgraduate students and supervisors to ensure that the process ofpostgraduate studies is characterized by success, effectiveness andefficiency.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University