The Faculty of Science conferred a record number of 71 doctoral degrees during 2025, representing a significant increase from the 47 awarded in 2024. 

Even more remarkable is that 53.5% of the 2025 cohort are women, graduating with PhDs in the fundamental sciences such as Physics (5 PhDs), Chemistry (5 PhDs), Mathematics (2 PhDs) and Computer Science (1 PhD).  Women PhD graduates also dominated in the fields of Physiological Sciences (7 PhDs), Botany and Zoology (5 PhDs), Biochemistry (3 PhDs), and Microbiology (6 PhDs).  

Dean of Science, Prof. Bertie Fielding, says the numbers reflect the strength and momentum of the Faculty of Science: “Producing 71 PhD graduates, with more than half of them women, is very encouraging, especially in disciplines where women have historically been underrepresented. Our success speaks to the dedication and resilience of our students, and the commitment of our academic and support staff.”

Overall, the Faculty of Science produced 1 126 graduates in 2025, up from 1 013 in 2024 — the biggest single-year increase in 9 years. This is also a significant leap from the 868 graduates recorded in 2017, representing 29.7% growth over eight years.

The Department of Physics also celebrated a significant milestone with 12 PhD graduates in Physics, 6 of which are women.

Prof. Shaun Wyngaardt, Head of the Department of Physics, said this achievement reflects not only academic excellence, but also the resilience, dedication, and intellectual curiosity that define the next generation of scientific leaders.

“Each of these graduates has contributed original knowledge to the field of physics—advancing understanding in areas that have the potential to shape technology, society, and our view of the universe. Completing a PhD is no small feat; it demands years of perseverance, critical thinking, and an unwavering commitment to discovery. 

“Today, we proudly congratulate each of these scholars on their accomplishment,” he concluded.