UNIZULU Faculty of Education hosts MADOC Week

The Faculty of Education hosted their Masters and Doctoral Week Workshop (MADOC) at the Richards Bay Campus from the 26 -30 June. The purpose of the workshop was two-fold: to support students and to capacitate our academics as supervisors. We had only one external facilitator. Academics in the Faculty facilitated the discussions. One hundred and sixty (160) students came from various clusters (Limpopo, ESwatini, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal) to attend the MADOC WEEK sessions. Fifty-five (55) staff members from the Faculty of Education came to support their post graduate students. Students were split into two groups: (1) those who already have their Ethical Clearance certificate and (2) those who are still applying.

The workshop commenced with a presentation from the Director of Research, Prof. B. Brown, which created an excellent support system to our MADOC WEEK which was conceived in 2017. The presence of the Dean, Prof Ntombela and her two deputy deans, Prof Gamede and Govender, throughout the week, motivated both staff and students to attend and to take part in discussions. Comprehensive presentations from the library staff to enable students to access the library even form outside campus were done. Participation from students and staff indicated that the presentations were critical to the research journey, and they needed this.

Experienced and emerging supervisors were paired from the faculty to present key aspects during the sessions which guided students towards crafting their proposals and the basic research knowledge. We also had an external expert on issues of ethics who presented to the staff and students face to face. In addition, aspects which include literature review, theoretical framework, research design and methodology were presented in detail. Students were given opportunity to interact with facilitators, which created a space of strengthening supervisor-supervisee relationship. Some students also found an opportunity to consult with their supervisors during breaks or after presentations. This was quite fulfilling to see supervisors working with their students face to face since it is not always possible that students visit campus often due to long distance they travel to campus.

Towards the latter part of day four and on day five students were provided an opportunity to present their proposals for feedback before they finalise for submission to Higher Degrees Committee. We were excited to see those thirty-five students (19 Masters and 16 PhDs) were ready to present their proposals during the two days.  This was a developmental exercise and students were provided with feedback to strengthen their proposals.  In addition, this platform enabled supervisors to share their insights and best practices providing different perspectives on research issues. Participants actively participated, asked clarity questions, and were also provided an opportunity to network assisting, supporting, and motivating each other throughout the sessions.

MADOC WEEK has this year been a great success. Attendance by bot staff and students was excellent. Participation was active and suggested that students were involved and quite motivated. Positive comments from students and staff, and information shared indicated that the workshop was successful in meeting students’ needs and expectations. The workshop objectives have been met as observed through knowledge deemed to have been acquired as observed when students were participating and during proposal presentations. They were able to apply what has been taught during presentations when they were presenting their proposals. The attitude students and staff have towards research seemed to have changed – students and staff’ approach to issues of research and feedback is encouraging.  The staff members who were facilitating during sessions had improved since capacity building and acquisition of overall experience in research among staff members, most of whom have just started supervising, was one of the objectives.

• Prof Kutame
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