The Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Umkhombandlela (Institutional Development Plan 2023 – 2028) notes the need for strengthened digital pedagogical capability and capacity. Part of this is planned to be achieved through the development of online programmes at postgraduate level.
While the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 is, and always will be, primarily contact, there is a great demand for part-time, online Master’s and doctoral programmes.
Not all M and D programmes lend themselves to being offered online, however. Courses requiring laboratory and fieldwork generally require physical proximity; but within many programmes in the Humanities and Social Sciences, which includes Commerce, Education and Law, there is every possibility of making highly engaged, structured programmes.
To this end, the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) is running a three-year curriculum development project, funded by the DHET 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Capacity Development Grant. The project kicked off with a group of 24 academics from ten departments retreating to Mpekwini Sun for four days. The time was spent reflecting on international shifts towards more structured and collaborative postgraduate programmes that enhance retention and throughout. The team deliberated the need for high-end, interactive programmes that ensure student engagement and intellectual rigour.
Initial steps towards developing and offering such programmes included looking at the scope of interactivity available and discussing issues of marketing, selection, assessment and accreditation. The retreat is just the first step – the challenge will be to maintain momentum alongside the everyday demands faced by the academics involved. Nonetheless, it is anticipated that at least one entirely online programme will be launched in 2026.