The University of Zululand (UNIZULU), in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), co-hosted the two-day third edition of the Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA) National PhD Conference at the Senate Chambers in the UKZN Westville campus earlier this month.
This landmark event brought together PhD candidates, academics, policy analysts, and experts from across South Africa, signalling a decisive move toward a collaborative national academic platform under the umbrella of ESSA and Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA). Rhodes University’s Professor Jen Snowball, ESSA Chairperson, and UKZN’s Prof Harold Ngalawa, ESSA Chairperson-Designate, played a pivotal role in reaching out to historically underserved universities to fully participate at all levels of the steering committee that hosted the conference.
The conference was designed to break down institutional silos and foster a unified research agenda that addresses South Africa’s complex economic challenges. According to Dr Bongumusa Makhoba who heads the Economics Department at UNIZULU, by co-hosting, UNIZULU and UKZN demonstrated a commitment to building bridges across institutions, strengthening academic partnerships in KwaZulu-Natal, and contributing to ESSA’s broader national objectives. Moreover, the conference specifically endeavours to ensure alignment across all universities to the best practice (norms and standards) in the PhD theses compilation.
The conference created a platform for PhD students to showcase their research, receive developmental feedback, and refine their work before publication. Through peer review, discussions, and exposure to diverse economic perspectives, students were provided the opportunity to gain confidence, build networks, and connect with leading academics. The reviewers were leading academics from the 26 universities who are recognised experts in their respective fields of specialisation. Professor Irrshad Kaseeram, Deputy Dean for Research and Internationalisation in UNIZULU’s Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law, was selected to review and provide feedback on two doctoral submissions from two universities.
“Organising a national conference of this scale was not without challenges. A large number of abstracts were submitted, far exceeding the available slots. The rigorous review and allocation of discussants required careful coordination. A joint steering committee, chaired by the ESSA president, streamlined the process, ensuring fairness and academic integrity. The fully funded nature of the conference further underscored the commitment to equitable access and participation,” said Dr Makhoba.
He added that the outcomes of the conference extend beyond the event itself. By fostering long-term academic relationships, UNIZULU and UKZN have laid the groundwork for future collaborations in research, mentorship, and policy engagement.
The partnerships formed during the conference are expected to evolve into cross-institutional research clusters and potentially expand into international academic events.
“As a historically disadvantaged University, we benefit greatly through our engagements with ERSA/ESSA and other universities. We rely heavily on the workshops offered by ERSA and ESSA. Through our participation in such forums over the past 20 years, we have kept abreast of the latest developments in the discipline. Many of our staff and students have learnt methodologies in the discipline we otherwise would have been denied; the impact is visible in the SAPSE output we have been generating over the past decade or more. We are grateful to be part of this excellent collaboration and look forward to continue participating actively well into the future,” highlighted Prof Kaseeram.
The professor emphasised that UNIZULU’s role as a co-host represents a significant milestone in joining the wider community of practice that upholds the norms and standards of the economics discipline. Hosting a conference centered on PhD students, he added, reinforces the highest international benchmarks that the field aspires to, ensuring these principles are embedded in the training of emerging and future economists. By participating in this community of practice, UNIZULU gains vital exposure to the latest developments and best practices, strengthening its contribution to the discipline and enhancing its academic growth.
Prof Kaseeram stressed that both universities played pivotal roles in shaping the conference. Steering committees with equal representation from UNIZULU, UKZN, ESSA, and ERSA ensured balanced leadership and seamless planning of a successful PhD conference. ERSA provided critical support in logistics and operations, while the universities and ESSA focused on academic programming. Marketing and communications teams from both institutions amplified the reach of the event, ensuring strong visibility and engagement.
– Sbahle Dumakude
Pictures: Samkele Sokhela
