doing phd in africa

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Africa Health Research Institute

• Adrie Steyn
• Alison Grant
• Collins Iwuji
• Frank Tanser
• Guy Harling
• Henrik Kløverpris
• Ingrid Bassett
• Janet Seeley
• Kobus Herbst
• Limakatso Lebina
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• Maryam Shahmanesh
• Moherndran Archary
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• Nigel Klein
• Nothando Ngwenya
• Nuala McGrath
• Philip Goulder
• Thumbi Ndung’u
• Till Bärnighausen
• Zaza Ndhlovu

Applications are open for the 2024-2025 AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship

This is an exciting opportunity for up to three potential candidates to register for PhD at UCL while undertaking their research project at Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI).

The award is funded by UCL’s   Division of Infection and Immunity   and is open to applicants who permanently reside in South Africa. The AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship award covers tuition fees and living costs for candidates to undertake a PhD at UCL.

The proposed PhD research must be in the field of  medical sciences  and/or  population health . This covers everything from single molecules through to cells and tissues, to whole organisms and animal and human populations for improved human health and wellbeing worldwide.

Students will be expected to spend most of their time in South Africa, conducting their research at AHRI. Students will also spend time at UCL and while there they will be expected to attend seminars, postgraduate club meetings, and other UCL doctoral student events.

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

• Be domiciled in South Africa at the time of application
• Have completed, or be about to complete, a Masters degree or equivalent
• Hold a letter of recommendation from a proposed supervisor at UCL*
• Be working with AHRI already or hold an approved letter of support to complete a PhD at AHRI*
• Be willing to stay in London for up to one year during their PhD studies. This time can be split into two periods of six months if required
• Must hold a valid passport at the time of application

Applications to the PhD studentship are competitive. The selection panel will look at academic achievements of the applicants, their research experience, the quality of the supervisory team and strengths of the proposed project.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview with the selection panel.

Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Conditions:

• If awarded, applicants must be able to take up the award immediately
• MPhil/PhD students registered at UCL cannot be registered to any other course, undergraduate or postgraduate
• Applicants are required to apply to both AHRI and UCL

The PhD studentships will fund:

• All fees for a three-year doctorate at UCL
• Two round-trip economy air fares to and from SA to UK (per award)
• Support for reasonable London living costs for up to one year
• UCL bench fees
• Support for Durban living costs for two years

How to apply:

1. Please complete the AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship Application form in detail and upload the following documents:

• Letter of recommendation from your proposed supervisor at AHRI
• Letter of recommendation from your proposed supervisor at UCL
• A copy of your academic CV
• Certified copies of your academic transcripts and original certificates

2. Please also complete the UCL application form and upload all relevant documents.

Closing date is 12 April 2024

*For further information or assistance with identifying an AHRI supervisor and letter of recommendation from UCL, please contact Kamini Gounder via [email protected] or Aruna Sevakram via [email protected] with ‘AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship’ in the subject header.

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Want to do Your PHD in Africa? Here’s What You Need to Know

BLOG ARTICLE

A Doctor of Philosophy, which most people know as a PhD, is the highest academic accolade. It demands a substantial investment of time, equipment, meticulous supervision and conscientiousness.

More and more students  are registering for doctoral studies across Africa. They’re doing so in pursuit of higher qualifications and better future career opportunities. But many are left floundering when they try to actually get working on their PhDs. Masters’ programmes simply don’t equip students with the research skills they need, nor the conceptual thinking and critical analysis that’s so important for PhD study.

So what is holding Africa’s PhD candidates back and what can be done differently? To answer these questions, I’ve drawn from lessons learnt while working with a group of fellows in the  Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa  (CARTA). This is a consortium of nine African public universities that supports 140 fellows who are pursuing PhDs in population and public health. Their experiences and concerns may help others who are embarking on the tough, sometimes lonely journey to obtaining a PhD.

The dark alleys of research

The CARTA fellows are mostly full-time faculty members, usually assistant lecturers or lecturers. They are talented, well respected and have the potential to be developed into research leaders. But evaluations conducted with the latest cohort reveal that none of these factors keep them from battling with even the basics of starting their PhD work.

One of the problems lies with the structure of masters’ programmes in Africa. These tend to last for two or three years. They’re traditionally assumed to be the foundation for career advancement in academia. But their focus tends to be on a strong component of course work, with limited opportunities for serious research. And research, of course, is the backbone of any PhD degree.

When research is included in masters’ programmes, the scope of the work is narrow and the quality of supervision is poor. Candidates are left to flounder in the dark alleys of research. In Kenya, where I am based, it is very rare for masters’ students to produce work that’s good enough to publish in peer-reviewed journals. Their work doesn’t influence policy- and decision-making. Masters’ graduates get a feather in their cap, but that’s really all.

During their evaluations, the fellows said they were struggling to comprehend the philosophical underpinnings of their research topics. They seem not to know that research methodologies are informed by diverse paradigms. Those from “hard” sciences backgrounds indicated that they didn’t understand philosophy nor see its value to research.

Most have difficulty in identifying the research gap in their topic of interest and insist that the topic has not been studied in the geographical area they’re focusing on. They fail to appreciate that the essence of PhD research is to generate new knowledge and that one cannot contribute to this without a clear understanding about the current state of affairs in their subject.

Our work has found that many PhD students are apathetic about searching for and reading relevant articles. They don’t have the basic software skills needed to search databases and often haven’t heard of open-source software that might make their task easier and cheaper.

Without reading and a critical appraisal of sources, the students really battle to develop a workable research question. A good number end up joining sentences derived from various journals conveniently to create what is submitted as the literature review. The write-up lacks logic and coherence, and is marked by high levels of plagiarism.

One problem leads to another: most students struggle to understand and develop theoretical and conceptual frameworks for their proposed study.

Some of the approaches we’re trying through CARTA might really improve people’s experiences of their PhDs. They have certainly boosted the fellows’ experience of this challenging academic journey.

Jump-starting the journey

CARTA has developed a month-long residential seminar during which new students are equipped with the necessary skills and competencies to jump-start their doctoral journey.

Topics in the curriculum include knowledge philosophy; reading, writing and referencing; and how to develop a good research question and a conceptual framework. The seminars are learner-centred, with space for group work and one-on-one consultations. Since the seminars are residential, the fellows also get to spend lots of time with each other, sharing ideas and advice, and with mentors.

Feedback from previous seminars has suggested that this approach is really working. Fellows say that they find the sessions very helpful and this is obvious in the quality of their work. Some have even changed their PhD topics because of the seminars and are comfortable defending their new ideas when they return to their institutions.

Of course, PhD students must bear a great deal of the responsibility for bringing their research to life. They ought to know that one cannot lead a pedestrian life and expect to receive the highest possible academic accolade. It requires hard work, commitment and developing the skills I’ve outlined here.

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 03 April 2023

Split-site doctorates are helping to build Africa’s research base

• Rachel Nuwer 0

Rachel Nuwer is a freelance writer based in New York City.

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Peter Waiswa was working as an assistant district health officer and a physician for Uganda’s Ministry of Health when he heard about an intriguing opportunity: a chance to earn a PhD in public health through a joint programme sponsored by Makerere University in Kampala and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. The programme, funded primarily by the Swedish government’s International Development Cooperation Agency, aimed to support Uganda’s development by investing in a new generation of scientists. “Most PhDs focus on the individual, but in this programme, the focus was on building institutional capacity at Makerere,” Waiswa says. “The research you do was also meant to be aligned to national development priorities.”

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A doctoral degree is a shared investment - by the state, the university, the individual, and funders - in the future prospects of an individual, community and society. Click on the links to jump to the following sections below:

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• Student fees are set for one academic year, and fee structures are subject to change without notice.​
• Additional fee implicants apply when a student exceeds the maximum duration of a programme.

Doctoral students in the FMHS may request the outstanding balance on their student account, or other account information, from Ms Lesanne Matthee ( [email protected]​c.za ). Specific errors on a PHD student's account may be logged with Ms Anri Engelbrecht ( [email protected] ). Please CC these emails to [email protected] .

International students may request a statement for the purpose of lifting the international block from Tygerberg International ( [email protected] ​ ). Payment must be made well in time to allow sufficient opportunity for registration before the final cut-off date of 27 January for each consecutive academic year; and 27 March when registering for the first time.

All SU staff are welcome to apply for a staff rebate via FMHS Business Management. Email Ms Lezel Fisher ( [email protected] ).

​Bursaries and Research Funding

Various bursaries are available to PhD candidates - all on a competitive basis. South-African PhD candidates can apply for all available bursaries. International PhD candidates can apply for the SU SU Postgraduate Scholarship Programme , an NRF bursary, or a Harry Crossley bursary . A selection of private bursaries are also available. Research degree f unding is also available from several funding bodies, including the National Research Foundation (NRF), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and private foundations.

These opportunities usually have application closing dates during the course of the second semester with a view to first registration in January.  

• SU Bursaries and Loans for the current academic year are covered in Part 2 of the SU Calendar .
• Numerous calls for funding applications are published at this link throughout the year, but concentrated in July to October with a view to support in the following academic year. Also consider making use of the opportunities for funding support .
• Visit the official page on available bursaries .
• The link from where students may apply for funding/bursaries is here ​ .

Each of these bursaries on the website have specific conditions which may change from year to year. Should you want to pursue a specific opportunity, please enquire directly to [email protected] .

Alongside the scholarships that privilege medicine and health sciences studies, certain funding opportunities have been under-utilised in the faculty. Candidates have disqualified themselves by failing to apply. PhD students with research topics that are inter- or multidisciplinary and include elements of social sciences are encouraged to consider and apply for those funding opportunities that are not restricted to health sciences.

For instance, The National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences and HB & MJ Thom Scholarship programme are often overlooked funding opportunities, that are open to South African citizens.

The Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa call is open to citizens of any sub-Saharan African country doing PhD at an accredited university in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. These scholarships support studies focused on three thematic areas: Peace, Security, and Development. Health sciences project can be linked to these themes with adequate motivation of the project’s relevance and in particular to development in Africa.

To qualify for calls such as these, pay attention to the call and identify ways to demonstrate the potential social impact of a doctoral study. Social issues are diverse with health components included, it takes a holistic approach when applying or answering calls under social sciences.

It is always important to prepare adequately for the application process and attend to the specific requirements of each particular funding opportunity.

Should you not be awarded a bursary or scholarship, you may want to consider the common practice among students in professional degrees of taking out a private student loan which is usually repayable upon graduation, when you have started your career. It is not advisable to make use of micro-lenders or informal institutions for this purpose. Financial legislation will protect you and interest rates will be significantly more favourable if you take out a loan from a well established bank licensed in your country of ordinary residence and citizenship.

For more information on possible student loans to South African citizens:

- Please visit this link about independent applications; - Please visit this link about the option to apply for a loan as per the SU FMHS agreement with the relevant bank; - You are also welcome to enquire about student loan options at your usual, SA Reserve Bank registered bank .

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Ph.d. in african studies from the department of african and african american studies.

The Department of African and African American Studies offers graduate programs in the fields of African American studies and of African Studies. The aim of the African studies program is to offer rigorous interdisciplinary training in the humanities and the social sciences, with a focus in a disciplinary field, leading to the PhD in African Studies. The program admits four or five students a year into a five- to six-year program.

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What can be done to better support women pursuing their PhDs in Africa

Post- Doctoral Research Fellow, African Population and Health Research Center

Disclosure statement

Anne Khisa, PhD is a recipient of the CARTA PhD fellowships (2013) and CARTA post doctoral fellowship (2018). At the time of publishing this article, Dr. Khisa is a postdoctoral research fellow at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya. CARTA is jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya, and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa.

African Population and Health Research Center provides support as a hosting partner of The Conversation AFRICA.

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A Doctor of Philosophy – commonly known as a PhD – is the highest level of academic training. It allows the degree holder to teach the chosen subject at university, conduct research or practise in the specialised area.

However, in many African countries like Kenya there are gender gaps when it comes to women enrolling in, and completing, their PhD studies. This subsequently affects their recruitment into university teaching and research positions. Women make up just just 30% of the Africa’s researchers.

There are various reasons for this. For instance, a study covering several African countries found that barriers include sexual harassment, a lack of mentors – with some male faculty mentors unwilling to act as mentors for junior women – and difficulty finding a balance between career and family.

A study by the African Academy of Sciences reported similar challenges faced by women scholars in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. It found that the success of women already working in STEM was highly influenced by the work environment, the recruitment process and gender relations. More has to be done to help women overcome gender-based challenges.

To support postgraduates in further education, several initiatives offer PhD fellowships – a merit-based scholarship – in Africa.

My colleagues and I from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) wanted to examine one of these and how it catered for women. Our case study was on the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). This is an initiative that was formed in 2008 and is jointly led by the APHRC, based in Kenya, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

We focused on CARTA for our study because it tries to build the capacity of individual PhD scholars – who focus on public and population health – using doctoral fellowships and research grants. CARTA also tries to get member universities to institutionalise good practices.

By the end of 2019, CARTA had graduated 87 of its 209 active PhD fellows. These individuals produced peer-reviewed publications and some fellows were promoted in their academic careers.

Read more: Africa's research ecosystem needs a culture of mentoring

Of the active fellows, 55% are women. We found that the programme caters well for women looking to complete their doctorates. For instance, it recognises that women need special consideration when it comes to pregnancy and in the care of newborn babies, and that they may have different responsibilities when it comes to domestic chores and the care of the family.

All of these are factors could have previously prevented them from enrolling in, or completing, their PhDs. It’s important that other institutions offering fellowships replicate aspects of this model to better support Africa’s women academics.

Gender-sensitive

CARTA works with eight partner African universities and four research centres. Individuals attached to these institutions can apply for PhD fellowships that can last for up to four years. The fellowship includes participation in seminars, stipends and small grants for research activities.

One of CARTA’s gender-sensitive policies is that it uses a different cut-off age for male and female applicants, at 40 and 45 years respectively. The aim of this is to cater for women who may have been delayed starting their PhD studies until later because they had children.

PhD fellows are entitled to paid maternity and paternity leave. And fellows are granted a leave of absence during their maternity leave – their award restarts upon their return. This ensures they are not penalised in any way and eventually enjoy the same benefits as other fellows.

The programme also supports new parents as they participate in month-long “joint advanced seminars”, training courses offered four times in the course of the PhD. CARTA pays for the cost of a childminder during the seminar, and the fellow can use this facility for as many seminars as they need.

We found that meeting these practical needs during training supported women to maintain on-time graduation rates similar to their male counterparts.

There are a few challenges though. A recent evaluation of the CARTA programme revealed that it lacked systematisation of data and learning from it.

A second challenge relates to building a stronger feedback mechanism between actors. While the CARTA programme has managed to address practical gender needs, structural barriers – like unequal pay and unfair workloads – can be addressed by working with institutions to change their gender policies in higher education.

Future benefits

Having a programme like this, which strategically addresses gender differences, has long-term benefits. Women CARTA fellows were able to gain certain strategic advantages in academia. This includes promotion to senior academic and leadership positions, winning other research grants, sustaining collaborative research and being recognised by their peers, hence providing female role models to junior scholars.

The programme is a timely initiative that ought to be replicated for greater coverage across the continent. It would take careful programming, commitment of resources in cash and kind and sustainable partnerships by African state and non-state actors with northern partners. But these could help create a more gender equal mix of successful PhD researchers and faculty on the continent.

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A scoping review protocol of the lived experiences of doing a PhD in Africa

Affiliations.

• 1 College of Nursing and Health Science, Flinders University, Bedford, Australia.
• 2 Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 3 Research Division, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
• 4 Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health (CCAMH), University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
• PMID: 37672529
• PMCID: PMC10482273
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290701

Objective: This scoping review aims to investigate the available literature on the lived experiences of doing a PhD in African Universities.

Introduction: The continent of Africa still contributes a minimal amount of research towards global research outputs. The need for increased research capacity and outputs have been identified as priority for growth and development. There is a substantial need for evidence-based solutions that can alleviate some of these complexities. For example, challenges still exist in the disease burden faced, economic poverty and lack of infrastructure in various contexts.

Methods and analysis: Multiple databases will be searched, including the EBSCO Host, Scopus, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline (Ovid), and Google Scholar. The scoping review will be conducted using the Arksey & O'Malley (2005)'s six-step approach in conjunction with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. Studies that examined the perspective of PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) candidates, supervisors from Africa, and research studies focusing on the common barriers and facilitators concerning research in Africa will be included. Studies that explore the perspectives of other postgraduate cohorts will be excluded.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethics application will not be required but findings will be disseminated through publications, conference presentation, policy, and relevant stakeholders.

Review registration number: This study has been registered with the Open Science Forum (OSF).

Copyright: © 2023 Omoya et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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Home / News / Announcement of 2024 PhD Fellowship

Announcement of 2024 PhD Fellowship

The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) was established in 1988 as a public not-for-profit organization devoted to the advancement of economic policy research and training in Africa. The Consortium’s mandate and strategic intent is built on the basis that sustained development in sub-Saharan Africa requires well-trained, locally based professional economists. AERC agitates the provision of capacity building in economic policy in Francophone and Anglophone African countries through provision of support in the areas of policy research and graduate training. 

AERC wishes to announce the 2024/2025 Ph.D. scholarships for applicants from Francophone and Anglophone sub-Saharan African countries admitted into any of the following AERC Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP) in Economics degree-awarding universities: 

Qualifications and Requirements :

To qualify, an applicant must:

• Have applied and been admitted to any one of the listed CPP universities;
• Have attained at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or related field from an accredited university;
• Have a Masters degree (with coursework and thesis component) in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or related fields from a recognized University. The coursework should have covered microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative methods and econometrics;
• Possession of at least 1 relevant publication in a refereed journal will be an added advantage;
• Evidence of engagement in economic management, research, and/or training in the public sector will be an added advantage; and 
• Female and applicants from post-conflict and fragile states are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants must submit their applications for admission directly to the respective universities (application procedure can be obtained from the respective university’s website). Upon receipt of an admission letter from a specific university, applicants shall upload the following documents on to the AERC scholarship portal https://training.aercafrica.org/admissionnew  

• Application cover letter;
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Evidence of admission at any of the universities listed above; and
• Certified copies of transcripts and certificates.

The deadline for applying for the scholarship is August 31, 2024 .

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Top 15 Best-Paying Online PhD Programs in Africa

Blog summary.

PhD graduates have the lowest unemployment rate and receive high pay compared to their peers and opportunities to explore unique career pathways in academics, research, consultancy, etc. A PhD boosts your credentials, achieve excellence, and develop research, writing skills, communication and networking skills. Businesses need PhD graduates to spearhead projects and take on critical responsibilities. WEF states there

are only 198 researchers per 1 million people in the African continent. Clinical psychology, public health, alternative medicine, guidance and counseling psychology, management, nursing, etc are some of the specializations in PhD that offer lucrative career prospects. PhD program improves creative thinking, management, problem-solving and communication skills. TAU in association with UCN offers various UG, PG and PhD programs on-campus and online. Online doctorate degrees take three years and are at par with on-campus programs with excellent guidance and access to extensive online learning resources.

Why Do You Need a PhD Degree?

Opportunities for phd degree holders, demand for researchers in africa, 1. phd in clinical psychology, 2. phd in public health, 3. phd in alternative medicine, 4. phd in guidance and counseling psychology, 5. phd in management, 6. phd in nursing, 7. phd in education, 8. phd in public administration, 9. phd in information technology, 10. phd in computer science, 11. phd in clinical research, 12. phd in social work, 13. phd in sociology, 14. phd in political science, 15. phd in library science, role of a phd degree in the personal growth, obtain your doctorate.

Higher education generally seems like the best way to earn more and progress in your career despite stories of overrated professionals working in lower-tier positions. PhD graduates have the lowest unemployment rate and are generally paid more than most of their peers. PhD graduates’ earnings are on par with other professional white-collar degrees over their lifetime.

In this article you will come to know about the complete details like need of PhD degree, opportunities, demand and various programs available in online PhD programs.

Most of you might feel that pursuing a PhD degree is not worth the effort, but here are the genuine reasons why you should go for it.

As established earlier, earning a PhD degree also bumps up your pay grade. In some technical sectors, the pay might even double your salary. The pay differences range from a 7% increase to a substantial 33% increase.

• Opens up Unique Career Paths

Completing a PhD degree allows you to pursue unique career paths, which might not be possible with just a master’s degree.

The most common roles for PhD graduates are:

• University or Independent Researcher,
• Scientists,
• Consultant,
• Higher Education Teaching Professional, and

Although getting an academic job is a logical step for many PhD graduates, a more significant number of opportunities exist outside of the teaching, research, and education sector. Indeed, more than a quarter of PhD graduates work in the academic, science, and pharmaceutical industries. This push for PhD has perhaps been started by private sector companies who have become more research-focused in contemporary years.

According to PayScale, PhDs can expect to make more money than applicants without doctorates and have access to more jobs.

• Having a PhD Degree is the Ultimate Goal for Excellence.

Completing a PhD degree means that you saw it till the end and never gave up. It is the ultimate progression endgame for anyone in a particular field of study.

This achievement boosts not only your credentials but also your self-esteem, which is critical for excellent performance and judgments as you progress throughout your career.

• Your Research and Writing Skills will Dramatically Improve .

As you progress with your PhD, you will have to research and write dissertations. Your language and diction will reach elite levels along with your knowledge of the subject. These skills you pick up will help you tremendously in your career and beyond.

• You Can Build Outstanding Communication and Networking Skills.

Any PhD graduate will tell you that researching is not a one-person job. Many graduate students are part of a team where they effectively work together. 

Along with improving your communication and networking skills, you will also be able to learn the art of organizing and managing people and data. Companies love this skillset and actively seek out candidates who possess it hence making you an invaluable resource.

African countries have become the hub for development and progress in recent years. Everyone is betting big on the continent, and this has started to bring in significant improvements in the continent.

The need for qualified professionals has never been more prominent. Employers are looking for PhD graduates to spearhead projects and take on critical responsibilities in their company.

In most African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Botswana where secondary education is still seen as a considerable achievement by many, the demand for professionals will lead to the educational and research revolution.

Based on the report by the World Economic Forum , there are only 198 researchers per 1 million people in the African continent.

In contrast, there are around 428 researchers in Chile and over 4,000 researchers in the UK and the USA combined. In order to reach international per-capita standards, Africa requires an added million doctorate degree holders. Some African countries are starting to see the value of investing in scientific research. Still, the World Economic Forum recommends more funding, not just from foreign investors, but also from the countries themselves.

Nearly 1,500 doctoral candidates graduated in South Africa in 2010. Since then, annually, the numbers have just plateaued. The fact that professionals from African countries move to other countries has only added to the deficit in the continent.

Over the last decade, the rapid expansion of the industrial sector has boosted the need for candidates, which in turn has led to significant demand in the market. There is still a healthy requirement for PhD graduates, especially ones with unique specialization in technical fields.

The report also encourages online PhD programs in Africa to focus on a broad corrective spread providing more extensive and reliable data in the areas of the studies. While the need for PhD graduates is not understated, there seems to be vagueness on how to achieve this feat. A report published by the British Council and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in June 2018, titled – Building PhD Capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa in cooperation with the African, offers six recommendations.

The recommendations are measures to improve access to doctorate degrees for scholars in Africa.

• Firstly, the report forewarns that online PhD programs must not compromise quality in the name of access and expansion. The procedure should be standardized and systematic to produce quality scholarly candidates as its primary goal.
• Secondly, it suggests that higher education systems must seek the right balance between the concentration and distribution of online PhD programs. In essence, how thoroughly the PhD programs probe into their research topic, and how useful the findings of the study research can be to the end-user.

This factor would bring together communities, governments, universities, and industries, in close collaboration to inform policy-making around PhD provision on the subject. Finally, the report bolsters candidates to collaborate on international partnerships, which can bring a unique view and perform a “pivotal role” in strengthening Africa’s ability to offer high-quality doctorate degrees.

In short, it has never been a better time for a candidate to pursue a PhD in the continent’s history.

Top 15 Best-Paying Online Phd Programs

An online PhD in clinical psychology program focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders and traumas of the human psyche.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in clinical psychology from a recognized university

Career paths:

• Consultant Psychologist
• Staff Psychologist
• Administrator
• Research Psychologist

Job Sectors: Private practice, NGOs, and government organizations

Job Outlook: With the increased global attention given towards mental health, the future for clinical psychologists has never been much higher.

Average Annual Base Salary: $$78,919

Average Growth Rate: 14%

An online PhD in public health is a program that helps you gain the specialization necessary to obtain a research position within the medical field or to gain employment in the highest levels of the domain of public health.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in public health/medical science from a recognized university

Career Paths:

• Public Health Planning
• Research Public Health Analyst
• Biostatistician
• Public Health Economist
• Public Health Education Officer

Job Sectors: Public health focuses on disease prevention and the overall advancement of human life. Research makes it evident that the value of public health cannot be understated.

Job Outlook: Public health offers a broad range of career opportunities epidemiologists, public relations specialists, and health educators, among others.

Average Annual Base Salary: $90,000

Average Growth Rate: 8%

A PhD in alternative medicine online program is for candidates who wish to research the different aspects of alternative medicine. It helps students gain a more comprehensive view of the subject where the preferred area of alternative can be chosen to do extensive research.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in the same stream/health science/paramedical science from a recognized university

• Yoga Therapist
• Acupuncturist

Job Sectors: Private and public sectors

Job Outlook: Scientists in alternative medicine will continue to be in demand because they provide a source of the development of research and treatments that improve human mental and physical health in an alternative way.

Average Growth Rate: 19.9%

A PhD in counseling psychology online program introduces theoretical concepts of guidance and counseling and to build on your foundational knowledge of human psychology. Moreover, the curriculum is focused on increasing competencies that are critical to becoming a professional counselor.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in the relevant field from a recognized university

• Mental Health Counselor
• Psychologist
• Marriage and Family Counselor
• Career and School Counselor
• Post-secondary Teacher

Job Sectors: Private sector, Independent contractor, and NGOs

Job Outlook: The role of the guidance counselors has been dynamic. These counselors play a pivotal role in the future of individuals.

Average Annual Base Salary: $50,766

An online PhD in management helps you gain scholarly knowledge over current management concepts and business practices. The program also allows you to formulate new strategies for leading people in an increasingly connected global society.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in management studies from a recognized university

• Lecturer and Professor
• Team Leader/Manager
• Business Statistician
• Data Analyst
• Business Development Manager
• Private practices Consultant

Job Sectors: Private sectors and government organizations

Job Outlook: Management services have increasingly become the nom.

Average Growth Rate: 7%

A PhD in nursing online program is a focused research program intended for professionals who care about shaping the future of healthcare. 

Eligibility: A master’s degree in nursing from a recognized university

• Practical nursing instructor
• Nursing surgical services director
• Nursing supervisor
• Managing nurse

Job Sectors: Public, Private, and NGO sectors

Job Outlook: Being a nurse is one of the noblest professions only surpassed by doctors. The demand for nurses and other related fields have always been high and will continue to be high.

Average Annual Base Salary: $85,579

Average Growth Rate: 12%

The PhD in education is crafted to transform teachers with a passion for teaching into educational leaders. The program will teach with a tried and tested learning process to apply the same for the improvement of schools and adopt for improved leadership in the education industry.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in the relevant industry from a recognized university

Career Paths:  

• College President
• School Superintendent
• Academic Dean
• Chief Learning Officer
• Executive Director of Education

Job Outlook: The educators have better ways of dispersing knowledge to students.

Average Annual Base Salary: $73,000

Average Growth Rate: 5%

A PhD in public administration is a focused research program in which learners are connected to international scholars and researchers who specialize in administration and policy-making.

The program concentrates on implementing government policy and developing agendas that serve the population and strive to improve the well-being of citizens and the general public.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in public administration from a recognized university

• University Professor
• Governmental Public Policy Researcher
• Public Policy Consultant

Job Sectors: NGOs and government sectors

Job Outlook: Public administration degrees are dedicated to people who are ethical individuals and highly interested in making a difference for the higher welfare of the public.

Average Annual Base Salary: $65,835

Average Growth Rate: 4%

A PhD in information technology (IT) is a research-based degree that equips you to reach the higher ranks of authority in the dynamic IT sector. A research scholar can explore several leadership positions in influential IT organizations, educational institutions, research cells, consulting companies, and much more.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in computer science or a relevant stream from a recognized university

Career Paths: 

• Technical Project Manager
• IT Manager Technical Business Analyst
• Software Consultant
• Database Designer/Administrator
• Lecturer/Professor

Job Sectors: Private firms, government organizations, and independent contractors

Average Annual Base Salary: $87,795

A PhD in computer science is a grand domain that covers a vast area of expertise. Candidates who have a PhD in computer science can experiment with various career paths ranging from hardware to software.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in computer science/M.Phil. or equivalent from any recognized college/university

• Professor/Lecturer
• Hardware Engineer
• Data Research Study Scientist
• Website and Software Developer
• Network Engineer

Job Outlook: The field of computer science offers the chance to become a leading researcher in a highly relevant field with the potential for transformational research.

Average Growth Rate: 13%

A PhD in clinical research is a subdivision of healthcare science that involves conducting lab research on the health of humans and their illnesses.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in research/health sciences/paramedical science from a recognized university

Career paths:  

• Drug Testers, Developers, Reviewers, or Safety Managers
• Clinical Studies Coordinators
• Research Managers

Job Sectors: Government, NGOs, and private research facilities

Job Outlook: With so many advances every year, the need for qualified professionals who aid in such endeavors has only been increasing.

Average Annual Base Salary: $50,186

Average Growth Rate: 9%

A PhD in social work online program helps students become independent professionals in their field of community service and public welfare. The program also encourages students to gain a deep understanding of how to work with at-risk, vulnerable, and impoverished populations.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in the relevant field from a recognized university and relevant work experience

• Community Management
• Juvenile or Adolescent Welfare
• Mental Health Centres
• Criminal Justice Administration

Job Sectors: NGOs, government, and private charity firms

Job Outlook: There has been a strong demand for social workers since the dawn of the occupation. Although the field is now much more diverse, the principle remains the same.

Average Annual Base Salary: $57,334

Average Growth Rate: 11%

The PhD in sociology online program specializes in various fields within sociology, such as analytical sociology, applied sociology, architectural sociology, behavioral sociology, collective behavior, comparative sociology, computational sociology, and the list goes on. Scholars gain critical knowledge about the elements of sociology, which will be crucial for their career. 

Eligibility: A master’s degree in the relevant field with relevant professional experience

• College Professor
• Sociologist
• Political Scientist
• Policy Analysts
• Management Consultants
• Social Workers
• Survey Researchers
• Pollsters Human Resources (HR) Representatives
• Public Relations Specialists
• Guidance Counselors
• Social Scientist
• Research Associate
• Investigator
• Research Fellow
• Urban Planner
• Research Analyst
• Programmer Evaluator

Job Outlook: The sociology sector is dynamic and ever-evolving. The professionals may have to implement various models and practices.

Average Annual Base Salary: $77,000

Average Growth Rate: 2.3%

The PhD in political science program focuses on integrating research methods, knowledge, theories that apply to all political scenarios.

Eligibility: A master’s degree in political/social science from a recognized university and relevant professional experience

• Legislative Aide
• Campaign Manager
• Press Secretary
• District Attorney
• State Legislator

Job Sectors: Private employers, NGOs, and NPOs

Job Outlook:   Political scientists should face healthy competition for jobs as the number of candidates is expected to exceed the number of available positions.

Average Annual Base Salary: $ 52,910

A PhD in library science is for candidates who wish to do extensive research in the field of library science. It helps professionals gain a more comprehensive view of the subject where all the significant areas of library science are covered extensively.

• Postsecondary Library Science Professor
• Academic Librarian
• Computer and Information Systems Manager
• Special Librarians

Job Outlook: Library scientists will continue to be in demand because they provide a source of the development of research, treatments, and medicines for the betterment of the library studies.

Average Annual Base Salary: $48,000

Average Growth Rate: 3.25%

If academic work is not the first choice, it can be a challenge for PhD candidates to demonstrate how a PhD can be beneficial when applying for a non-academic PhD job. To make the prospect of a PhD more appealing, illustrate how your knowledge and expertise will benefit the employer. Focus more on the transferable skills that the PhD degree has helped you acquire, which you can use to enhance your peers, such as:

• Creative Thinking

PhD students often think outside the box to solve complex issues. Use this to your advantage. 

• Excellent Management Ability

Most Successful PhD candidates are excellent in managing their workload and time. Again as previously mentioned, you may have led a team of research assistants, which can be a valuable skill to showcase.

• Problem-solving Skills

A PhD degree is the pinnacle of academic excellence in a chosen field in which you’ll have tackled numerous research related problems and solved them. This skill can be your USP during your interviews.

• Communication Skills

As previously stated, you’ll have developed excellent communication skills by giving many presentations/Lectures and networking with others in the industry. 

In all honesty, you can’t go wrong with pursuing a PhD degree. With this, we hope that you have gotten an idea of how a PhD degree can boost your career.

Best School to Pursue Online PhD Programs in Africa

With an enduring commitment to pursue excellence, Texila American University (TAU) in association with the University of Central Nicaragua offers students unique experiences across a wide range of UG, PG, and PhD programs on-campus and online.

Check the Success Stories of our Alumni who completed PhD in their specializations.

Getting an online doctorate degree is now easy with TAU as all the programs are designed to be completed in 3 years. As the university follows a unique learning methodology, BRICS, you can complete your course in the designated tenure without compromising your busy schedule.

Here are a few benefits of pursuing an online PhD degree at TAU:

• Online doctorate degrees on a par with regular courses
• Doctorate degree in just 3 years
• Qualified faculty
• Dedicated student mentors and academic coordinators for support and guidance
• Access to thousands of online resources in TAU’s learning management portal

TAU has made it easy for busy working professionals to pursue their PhD programs without leaving their job. Even you are busy and could not find to study, trust TAU and join a PhD degree of your choice and eligibility. TAU will take you further. Don’t waste your time anymore and make your choice right now!

Enroll in PhD Degree and enhance your career as a leading expert in your specialty.

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In-Demand Fields for PhD After Masters in Biological Science

Career opportunities for a clinical research scientist, explore career opportunities in alternative medicine, value of an online emba for your career growth, career and financial prospects of clinical research scientists, related posts, jump-start your educational career with a phd in education, a doctorate degree: what it is & how to obtain one, be more than a librarian with a phd in library science, everything you need to become a counseling psychologist, how can a school principal perform effectively with a doctorate in education, counseling psychology and its role in managing stress in older adults.

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• Sello’s PhD from bogus college, Nzimande says

Skeem Saam actor Serunye also given ‘doc torate’

Minister of higher education Blade Nzimande says Trinity International Bible University which conferred an honorary doctorate to actor Sello Maake kaNcube is not registered and therefore has no authority to offer any qualifications.

On Saturday, Maake kaNcube posted a number of pictures quoting a Bible verse as he celebrated the honorary doctrate.

" Look at God! It’s now Dr Sello Maake kaNcube Someone please tell my co-pilot Pearl Mbewe Maake KaNcube @Solopearl [wife] that she is no longer travelling this life journey with a national treasure only but with an honourable DR!" Maake kaNcube wrote on social media platform X.

Some social media users questioned the honorary doctorate.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 Look at God! It’s now Dr Sello Maake kaNcube 🤩🥰😍 Someone please… pic.twitter.com/PqqyFtfAke — Sello Maake kaNcube -Archie Moroka ☺️ (@sellomkn) April 20, 2024

Another recipient is Skeem Saam actor Elizabeth Serunye. Singer Winnie Mashaba was conferred with one in November 2019.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elizabeth Serunye (@serunyeelizabeth)

Nzimande on Sunday said he had become aware of honorary doctorates awarded to some of the country's top celebrities by Trinity.

"According to our records as the department of higher education and training, Trinity International Bible University is not a registered private higher education institution. Trinity International Bible University is therefore not authorised to offer any qualifications, including honorary degrees.

"We also wish to state that, as the Department, we have written to Trinity International University before and warned them about continuing to operate illegally and for them to regularise their operations. We have also asked the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for guidance on how honorary qualifications should be offered and by who. As the Department, we have nothing against Trinity International Bible University or the celebrities they have chosen to honour," said the department's spokesperson Veli Mbele.

He said the department was "deeply disturbed by the persistent disregard for the department's regulations by the management of Trinity International Bible University".

"The department is considering more comprehensive and decisive action against Trinity International Bible University and all other individuals or institutions, who continue to undermine the department's regulations. As the department of higher education and training, we are willing to engage with Trinity International Bible University and the celebrities they have honored, to better explain our position.

"Most importantly, as the department of higher education and training, we have a legal responsibility to protect the integrity of our qualifications and that of our post school education and training system," Mbele said.

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• Umalusi warns about bogus online schools and websites selling fake certificates

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Welcome to the United Nations

30 years on, South Africa still dismantling racism and apartheid’s legacy

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Rethabile Ratsomo said it’s the little things that remind her of her perceived “place” in South African society.

There are the verbal slights and side-eye in workspaces, where she’s been viewed as a B-BBEE hire (The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment programme in South African that seeks to advance and transform the participation of black people in the country’s economy) and therefore not capable of doing the work. There are the passive-aggressive comments from colleagues, constantly complimenting her on how well she speaks English. She has lived through the daily microaggressions that form part of her life.

“I am a born-free and despite being born after the advent of democracy in South Africa, my race continues to play a huge role in my being, as a South African,” Ratsomo said, 29, who currently works at the Anti-Racism Network and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. “Many people continue to normalise racial discrimination and perpetuate harmful behaviours. Racism remains rife.”

Thirty years since the end of Apartheid, South Africa still grapples with its legacy. Unequal access to education, unequal pay, segregated communities and massive economic disparities persists, much of it is reinforced by existing institutions and attitudes. How is it that racism and its accompanying discrimination continues to hold such sway in this, majority Black populated and Black governed nation?

Racism has deep roots in the economic, spatial and social fabric of this country. It reflects the legacy of oppression and subjugation from apartheid and colonialism. While progress has been made to eliminate the scourge of racism it requires everyone to do their part for it be eliminated, said Abigail Noko, Representative for UN Human Rights Regional Office of Southern Africa (OHCHR ROSA)

“Dismantling such entrenched racist and discriminatory systems requires commitment, leadership, dialogue and advocacy to put in place anti-racist policies that implement human rights norms and provide a framework to help address and rectify these injustices and promote equality,” she added.

Free your mind and the rest will follow

The project of dismantling racist systems in a place like South Africa, must go hand in hand with the process of decolonization – both at an institutional and an individual level, said Professor Tshepo Madlingozi, a Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

“History has shown that unless you have decolonized your mind, you are going to step into the shoes of the oppressor and oppress other people over and over again,” he said.

Madlingozi’s comments were part of a panel discussion on dismantling racist systems in South Africa, which took place during the Human Rights Festival in Johannesburg in March, which aligns with national Human Rights Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The discussion, sponsored by OHCHR ROSA, had three panellists providing their answers to the overarching question, how can racism present in the “rainbow nation” be dismantled to bring about freedom, equality, and justice for all?

Samkelo Mkhomi, a social justice and equality activist in her 20s, agreed that an internal mindset change was needed, especially among young people. She said she noticed that many of her born-free peers, i.e., someone who was born after the advent of democracy in South Africa, harbour suspicious and distrustful attitudes toward other races. She mentioned a friend who has a distrust of all white people. When Mkhomi asked why, he told her “because of what they did in the past.” She called this deliberate lack of understanding among her peers as hereditary and a big stumbling block in moving forward.

“We have set perceptions and stereotypes that we've inherited from family, from social experiences, experiences that are not our own,” Mkhomi said. “And we've used that as a blueprint to view other people. Once you can get rid of that as young people, I feel like we can start moving on and dismantling racism.”

Madlingozi suggested one way to do this could be to not only focus on individual racist incidences, but also to bring more awareness, and push for policies in institutions that deconstruct current ways of working.

“What matters is, have we dismantled the institutions, the cultures that perpetuate racism,” he said. “Because unless you do that, you’ll have Black people, you will have a Black government that will continue to perpetuate racism because that is the nature of institutionalised racism. So yes, let’s focus on individual human rights. Let’s focus on social justice, but where it matters the most is structural institutionalized oppression.”

Casting a long shadow

The scars of Apartheid run deep, leaving a legacy of segregation, discrimination and inequality. This is evidenced by the stark economic disparities in the country. A 2022  World Bank report on inequality in southern Africa  gave South Africa the unfortunate distinction of being the most unequal country in the world.

The report stated that 80 percent of the country’s wealth was in the hands of 10 percent of the population. And it is the Black population who factor the most into the poorest category. The report places the blame for the income disparities directly on race.

“The legacy of colonialism and Apartheid rooted in racial and spatial segregation continues to reinforce inequality,” the report states.

The spatial divide mirrors the economic one.

The evil genius of Apartheid was the segregation project, as it allowed the Government to not only separate people based on arbitrary categorisations, but through this create material differences between the communities to reinforce the idea of actual racial differences, said Tessa Dooms. These racial classifications also encouraged the idea that the different groups needed to compete for basic human rights, dignity and economic opportunities, she added.

“The Apartheid government didn’t just give people categories, they gave real live material meaning to those categories,” said Dooms, Director of Programmes for Rivonia Circle during the panel discussion. “As long as those categories mean something in the world, we still have work to do, to undo Apartheid, to undo colonialism, to decolonize.”

To do this, Dooms recommended practical vision as to what a decolonized South Africa would look like, being very specific about the results wanted. She also called on the privileged groups to do the heavy lifting of helping to create more equality. Until those with privileges work to broaden access to them, the cycle will continue, Dooms added.

“We cannot leave creating a more just world to the people who are most affected by injustice,” she said. “It’s not fair, it’s not right and it won’t work.”

Taking concrete action

Globally, South Africa’s post-Apartheid long walk to freedom has garnered an international reputation as a leader in global efforts to combat racism. In 2001, South Africa hosted the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR), which resulted in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). The DDPA is a roadmap, providing concrete measures for States to combat racism, discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance.

One of the big recommendations was to have each country create its own National Action Plan (NAP). The plan is a means through which governments locally codify their commitment to taking action, with concrete steps on how they will combat racism. South Africa launched its plan in 2019, with OHCHR ROSA providing technical assistance. This assistance took many forms including participation in the consultations that led up to the final NAP and helping to set up support structures for its implementation, and support for research and other work to help develop systems for data collection on issues related to the NAP.

“Human rights play crucial role in dismantling racism by providing a framework for addressing and rectifying historical injustices, promoting equality, and ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and with dignity,” Noko said

Various other sectors have pioneered innovative approaches to chip away at Apartheid’s remnants. Corporate and governmental diversity programmes, such as B-BBEE, and the Employment Equity Amendment Bill of 2020, aim to promote diversity and equity in the workplace.

Ratsomo of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said these and other efforts to address the underlying issue of what to do about that still exists in the country are key to taking it down. Everyone must  learn, speak up, and act on racism, racial discrimination and related intolerances, she said.

“The beginning point to tackle and dismantle systemic racism is to understand that being anti-racist does not only mean being against racism,” she said. “It also means being active and speaking out against racism whenever you see it happen. The more we understand racism, the easier it becomes to identify when it happens, which allows us to speak out and act against it when we see it happening.”

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Football saved me from genocide; now I promote peace with it

Kwibuka30: Learning from the past, safeguarding the future against genocide

Streamlining Egypt’s food value chain through technology

Lessons post the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda: we must speak out against discrimination and prejudice

Creating credible carbon market in Africa

REMEMBER.UNITE.RENEW.

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Claver Irakoze: Bridging Generations Through the Memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

Sudan: Horrific violations and abuses as fighting spreads - report

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Hate is taught: it can be fought

Two years after the killing of George Floyd, urgency to end racial inequalities and discrimination beckons

Homophobia: The Violence of Intolerance

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US to withdraw from Niger after security pact fails in strategic victory for Russia

Biden administration to rethink counter-terrorism strategy after breakdown of pact allowing US forces on soil to fight jihadists

The US will withdraw more than 1,000 military personnel from Niger in a move that will force the Biden administration to rethink its counter-terrorism strategy and amounts to a strategic victory for Russia .

The decision comes a month after the west African country’s ruling military junta revoked a security pact with Washington that had allowed American forces on its soil to help fight jihadist terrorism.

US officials had voiced hopes that behind-the-scenes talks could salvage the 12-year-old agreement, which was thrown into jeopardy on 15 March when a junta spokesperson publicly declared the continued US military presence in Niger “illegal”.

But the US finally admitted defeat after meetings in Washington this week between Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state, and Niger’s prime minister, Ali Lamine Zeine.

The withdrawal, expected to occur over the coming months, will mean the closure of a US drone facility, known as Base 201, at Agadez in the Sahara that was opened in 2018 at a cost of $110m.

The base, one of the main US drone facilities in Africa, has been used in operations against jihadist groups in the Sahel region and was reportedly the launchpad for a series of deadly strikes against Islamic State fighters in Libya in 2019.

Niger’s relations with Washington have been tense since last July when the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown in a coup. He remains under house arrest, despite American calls for his release.

Since the coup, Niger’s new leaders have pursued closer ties with Russia, mirroring neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, where Russian military forces have established a presence.

Just days after the arrival of Russian military equipment and advisers in the country, thousands of protesters gathered in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, last week to demand the withdrawal of American forces.

According to Russian reports, the newly arrived personnel were part of Russia’s Africa Corps, a new paramilitary group established to replace the Wagner Group, the mercenary outfit founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Prigozhin had been an ally of Vladimir Putin until he led a failed rebellion last year against the Russian president’s stewardship of the war in Ukraine; he was killed in a plane crash. He offered the Wagner Group’s services to the coup leaders after they seized power.

US military commanders have warned of the spread of Russian influence in the Sahel, a semi-arid region in the southern Sahara stretching from the Atlantic to the Red Sea, and in other parts of Africa at American expense.

American alarm rose when Lamine Zeine visited Moscow last December to discuss military and economic ties, followed by a visit to Tehran the following month, where he met Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president.

Senior state department and Pentagon officials visited Niger earlier this year in an effort to keep the military agreement intact.

The visit was not a success, with Nigerien figures voicing anger over what they said were unfounded American suspicions of negotiations to allow Iran access to Niger’s uranium resources, potentially enhancing Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The departure of American forces from Niger follows the expulsion of French troops after last summer’s coup.

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South Africa: Academics With Disabilities - South African Universities Need an Overhaul to Make Them Genuinely Inclusive

Very little research has been conducted about academics with disabilities working in South African universities. This means their stories, and the challenges they face in the daily demands of their jobs, are not often told. Sibonokuhle Ndlovu, who holds a PhD in education and lectures on the subject, explains what her study of academics with disabilities revealed.

How many academics with disabilities are working in South Africa's universities?

We're not sure. Statistics are hard to find, whether from individual institutions or the country's education authorities. There's also not been much research about academics with disabilities in the country. Government data suggests that 22.4% of people aged 15 or older have some sort of "functional difficulty" - ranging from disabilities related to sight and hearing to mobility and cognitive challenges.

And we do know that students with disabilities enrolled in South Africa's institutions of higher education make up less than 1% of the student population.

In short, there are relatively few academics with disabilities. But that doesn't mean their needs and concerns should be ignored. For one thing, disability rights are enshrined in the country's constitution. In the higher education sector, there have been calls for the country's universities to become truly African institutions that cater to everyone. This inclusion must extend to people with disabilities, whether they are students or staff.

What was the purpose of your study ?

Because there is so little research about academics with disabilities, I analysed South African research about the exclusion of students with disabilities. Understanding their difficulties helped me to understand academics' issues, since many are the same (for instance, accessing physical spaces, conducting research and engaging with the broader university community).

I identified two major challenges that academics with disabilities face. First, inaccessible physical environments. Second, difficulty conducting research because of their impairments.

Most institutions' lecture halls, toilets and libraries are not easily used by academics with disabilities. Something as fundamental as getting to a venue on time to deliver a lecture is difficult. Their lateness may frustrate students, affecting the lecturers' professional reputations.

Some universities have tried to make buildings accessible, through renovating or retrofitting old buildings. The principles of Universal Design are being applied at some institutions when new buildings are constructed. This approach considers the mobility needs of all people, with and without disabilities, from the outset.

Read more: Six challenges that impede entrepreneurs with disabilities in South Africa

The second challenge relates to research. Like all other academics in higher education, academics with disabilities are expected to conduct research as part of their work. But impairment-related challenges can hinder research that requires some senses such as sight or hearing.

Read more: Colonialism shaped modern universities in Africa - how they can become truly African

When conducting certain types of research, the things people do not say are seen in their facial expressions - for instance, frowns and smiles can reveal a great deal of meaning. Academics with visual impairments are unable to spot these unspoken gestures.

Academics with hearing disabilities face similar problems. Sign language interpreters can be very helpful, but this is a scarce skill in South Africa. And, because interpreters are human beings, if they take leave or fall ill during a research project, valuable time is lost. The risk here is that academics with disabilities may be slower to publish research than their peers, which compromises their careers.

In areas of study such as medicine or engineering, using certain equipment can pose a challenge. An academic who cannot see when required to use a small needle on a patient, for instance, will struggle to complete the task.

Higher education institutions should consider how to support academics in these areas, perhaps by providing research assistants.

Aren't there policies to support academics with disabilities?

There is national policy related to disability in higher education; it was only adopted quite recently, in 2018.

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But there's a big gap in the policy: it doesn't consider different categories of disabilities. Instead it looks at people with disabilities as if they all have the same challenges and needs, which simply isn't the case.

Some universities have their own institutional disability policies, but I found over and over again in my research that students and academics with disabilities weren't often invited to contribute. The policies were made for them rather than with them, which resulted in policies that simply didn't work.

The reality is that academics with disabilities are considered "the other". It's not enough for universities to talk about "transforming" into new, truly African institutions. What needs to be transformed are university environments themselves. They require a total change in policy, buildings, attitudes - a total overhaul of the spaces to make them genuinely inclusive to everyone, including academics with disabilities.

Sibonokuhle Ndlovu , Lecturer, University of Johannesburg

This article is republished from The Conversation Africa under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

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