UCT produces a bumper crop of medical PhDs

Record-breaking: The Faculty of Health Sciences has produced its largest ever number of PhD graduates

UCT's Faculty of Health Sciences has produced its largest ever number of PhD graduates this winter, generating more students at one ceremony than 13 of the 23 universities in South Africa produce in a whole year.

"From a financial point of view, each PhD graduate is worth approximately R0.25million to the university in government subsidy, meaning that this graduating class has a monetary value of more than R6 million to UCT," said Professor Kit Vaughan, the faculty's deputy dean for research and postgraduate affairs.

Vaughan was addressing the 26 graduates at a cocktail part of celebration. "We are extremely proud to have graduated so many at one time."

Vaughan explained that the PhD was just the beginning of an academic career, "the ticket that gets you through the front door".

"What's really important now is what you do with the PhD and one important output of your PhD should be to publish your work in journals, books and other peer-reviewed publications."