The University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) Faculty of Education recently hosted the first event of its biannual Master’s and Doctoral (MADOC) Research Week at the Richards Bay Campus. The weeklong academic programme which commenced on Monday, 29 June 2026 and concluded on Friday, 3 July 2026 brought together postgraduate students, academics, research experts and institutional support units committed to advancing research excellence.
With the aim to strengthen postgraduate research capacity, MADOC 2026 equipped master’s and doctoral students with the knowledge, skills and practical tools required to produce high-quality research. Throughout the week, participants received intensive training on research methodology, proposal development, academic writing, literature review, research ethics, data analysis, thesis writing and the effective use of institutional research templates and policies.
Welcoming delegates to the programme, Professor Sithabile Ntombela, lecturer in the Faculty of Education, emphasised the importance of the initiative. “This is where we provide intensive support to our master’s and doctoral students,” she said, noting that the programme serves as a platform where students receive expert guidance that strengthens their master’s competencies and prepares them for successful completion of their studies.
The Postgraduate Studies Office, within the Research and Innovation Office, was also invited to shed light on the nature of support it provides to postgraduates. “Through effective administration and continuous academic support, these offices contribute significantly to maintaining excellence in postgraduate education,” explained Zikhona Jacobs, Postgraduate Studies and Information Management Manager.
According to Jacobs, the research office remains committed to cultivating a dynamic, ethical and high-quality research environment by supporting postgraduate students through higher degree administration, postgraduate funding opportunities and research capacity development initiatives. These efforts contribute towards improving student success and ensuring timely completion of their postgraduate qualifications.
Highlighting the significance of MADOC Research Week, Siviwe Feketshane, Faculty Research Administrator, said the programme is an intensive capacity-building initiative designed to support master’s and doctoral students through every stage of their research journey, from proposal development to thesis submission.
He further explained that the initiative is particularly valuable because many postgraduate students within the faculty are full-time educators and working professionals who are unable to attend the regular research workshops offered during normal working hours and by providing dedicated research support during MADOC Research Week, the faculty creates greater access to academic development opportunities while strengthening postgraduate progression, research quality and completion rates.
For many students, the programme is already making a meaningful impact. Anele Ndovela, a Master of Education student, shared that conducting a literature review had been one of the most challenging aspects of her research. “Finding relevant scholarly articles and critically synthesising them to connect with my own research was difficult, especially in developing an argument and finding my academic voice,” she noted.
She added that the practical workshops, mentorship and guidance provided during MADOC have significantly improved her understanding of literature review writing. “I now feel better equipped to produce a strong, well-structured literature review,” she said.
Prof Bongani Gamede, Deputy Dean: Research and Innovation, commended the MADOC Committee and all institutional partners for their dedication and collaborative efforts in making the programme possible. He reaffirmed the faculty’s commitment to developing competent researchers capable of producing impactful, ethical and socially relevant research that contributes to national and international knowledge production.
MADOC Research Week continues to demonstrate UNIZULU’s unwavering dedication to nurturing research excellence, building postgraduate capacity and advancing the University’s strategic vision of becoming a leading research-intensive institution.
Pictures: James Thwala
