Postgraduate students in die Faculty of Education have already benefitted from four postgraduate days hosted by the Faculty in 2016 and can look forward to two more before the end of the year.

According to Prof Aslam Fataar, Vice-dean: Research in the Faculty of Education, the purpose of these postgraduate days is to support postgraduate students in the Faculty in the various dimensions of thesis work and writing.

"We cover a variety of subjects: concept building and theoretical application, research skills such as interviewing and data analysis, technical skills such as critical reading, etc.

"The sessions are spread evenly throughout the year. It is meant to provide a space for research learning, sharing, peer support and network building to enable students to develop and sustain their thesis work momentum. Overall, the postgraduate days augment all aspects of thesis work.

"Many of our students are part time, so these postgraduate days make the support infrastructure of the university, such as library and language services and research planning, available to them," he said.

The days have been very well attended.

"On average 65 students attend these sessions. This tells us the students benefit immensely from them."

PhD student Jasmine Matope has found that these sessions help make the postgraduate journey less lonely and usually creates new momentum and motivation to continue.

"The sessions also create a space to network with other students and academics."

Jennifer Feldman, also a PhD student, agrees.

"These sessions create a community of practice for people on a similar journey and is especially valuable for postgraduate students who are working full-time and could easily become isolated.

"It also energises your own research process. In fact, it is silly not to attend!" she concluded.