New postgrad service unveiled

Leading the pack: Mike Otieno, seen here with VC Dr Max Price, is among 18 research associates to receive UCT Research Associateships.

The partnership between master's and doctoral students and their supervisors was celebrated at the annual awards ceremony for the 2010 UCT Research Associates & Supervisors.

Vice-chancellor Dr Max Price noted that over 60 research associates were nominated but only 18 could be selected to receive the UCT Research Associateships.

Doctoral candidates received R45 000 each, of which R15 000 is allocated to supervisors to cover research costs or to provide support for travel conference. Those at master's level received R30 000 each, with R10 000 going to the students' supervisors.

Price said he hoped these incentives would inspire research associates to remain in academia after graduating.

Also at the ceremony, the new Blue Desk Information Service and the A-Z guides for postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows were launched. Both of these initiatives aim to improve overall support to these sectors.

Based in the Postgraduate Centre & Funding Office, the Blue Desk is a visible, dedicated service that provides a one-stop information centre for all matters relating to the postgrads, including details on funding, facilities, and available spaces for meetings and seminars.

The A-Z booklets cover a range of other information, and are particularly helpful to individuals who come from outside of Cape Town, as deputy vice-chancellor Professor Danie Visser explained.

"As the number of students and postdoctoral research fellows increase, we had to think of different ways of ensuring that our doors are always open, and students and fellows enjoy a great experience," Visser explained. Hard copies of the guides are available from the Postgraduate Centre & Funding Office and electronically on the following URLs: postgrad and postdoc.