UKZN
NOCWAL: supporting postgraduate research
    by Yajiv Haripersad and Sabeeha Maithir

Overview

University education is characterized by a reputation for developing critical thinkers. This is especially so in the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences. However the gap between developing an analytical mind on a learner level, guided by teachers or supervisors within the relevant higher education institutions and writing independently is one that remains under-developed. Postgraduate learners rarely express individual (or collective) research interest through independent initiative research papers or the like. Reason for this being, that there is no formalized space dedicated to the stimulation of postgraduate research through which postgraduate learners can express their interest in research.

Furthermore upon reaching a postgraduate level and thereafter exiting university, a learner is armed with the necessary rules and taught methodologies but without an avenue through which to channel this knowledge and interest in research. University education is often criticized for not providing for the practical training of the learner, a need that other tertiary institutions such as those aligned towards more vocational training and education provide for. There is thus an opportunity for the creation of a formal structure within public higher education institutions that provides for the experiential training needs of postgraduate learners.

The way Forward

A resolution to this situation would be a platform through which postgraduate learners could express their individual (or collective) interest in research. It will create unity through common aims as well as provide support to learners conducting research of developing research papers. It will furthermore serve as a channel that will not only nurture the development of individual research interest, but also provide much sought after experiential training through research experience, and in this way be beneficial to the overall development of the learner. Such an organization will serve to cultivate the further academic development of postgraduate learners. The organization will create a platform for postgraduate learners to explore and express their talent for research, and who may otherwise pass through the system undetected. In this way, it will identify future academics which could easily pass through the system simply having not explored the opportunity and remain undiscovered.

Innovative approach to the condition

Having assessed the structure of higher education institutions, a newly developed organization, the Network of Contemporary Work and Labour (NOCWAL) Researchers aims to bridge this gap in service delivery. It hopes to work with the structure, for the structure. The members of NOCWAL Researchers primarily aim to re-invigorate a culture of post-graduate research by creating the much needed platform for post-graduate learners to collectively organize themselves with the purpose of conducting research within the social sciences at public tertiary education institutions.

Pilot Project

NOCWAL Researchers aims to be affiliated to the research and post-graduate research wings in the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College. The research base will cover issues pertaining to the world of work, bringing together disciplines of sociology, psychology, management as well as development studies. It is anticipated that NOCWAL Researchers will work closely with post-graduate learners from the following departments: sociology, industrial and economic sociology, criminology, psychology, management and communication studies, as well as development studies.

Future Endeavours

Forming a non-profit organization (NPO) is part of the mid-term goal of NOCWAL Researchers. We aim to create employment through experiential training (internships) for graduates with a passion to conduct research within the prism of contemporary work and labour.

In the long term NOCWAL Researchers aims to establish itself as a fully fledged research-based consultancy to create permanent forms of employment for graduates wishing to pursue a career in social research.

 
Developed by the Network of Contemporary Work and Labour (NOCWAL) Researchers

For Enquiries contact: nocwal_r@mtnloaded.co.za