Languages: 
An initiative by WSU’s Department of Postgraduate Studies will see 30 aspiring researchers showcasing their academic work on national and international stages in efforts to produce world class researchers.
The initiative, headed by Acting Director: Postgraduate Studies, Professor Thobeka Ncanywa is part of the department’s efforts aimed at preparing postgraduate students and novice researchers to present papers at local and international conferences.
Amongst these budding researchers is Amanda Tiya, a Master of Science graduate, who will be presenting a paper at the International Conference on Agriculture 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Tiya, whose study is on the production of organic compost, said that through the three-day workshop hosted by the department, she gained immense insights and confidence as a researcher.
“I came here to prepare for my trip to the Thailand conference, and I can say it has helped me a lot. Now I have learnt how to prepare for a big conference, and I can confidently say that I can produce publishable research papers,” said Tiya.
Ncanywa, the current Acting Director of Postgraduate Studies, said that while this initiative is aimed at increasing the university’s rapidly growing research outputs, it is also to encourage the next generation of researchers to contribute to solving global challenges.
“This training is contributing to one of our objectives, which is to attract high-calibre postgraduate students. Secondly, instead of just producing finished research projects, these researchers will contribute to the university’s research output as their papers will eventually get published. We also encourage them to pursue topics that are innovative and provide sustainable solutions to society’s problems,” said Ncanywa.
Motsi Qhoyi, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education will present a paper focusing on Economics education as an anchor for financial decision making at a conference in Durban, SA.
“We see a lot of differences between students that have done economics and those that have not done economics. Their financial decisions differ because some spend a lot of their finances recklessly, while others make sound financial decisions. These are some of the things that we really must have conversation about in order to ensure that we shape our graduates’ financial decisions through financial education. Hence, I am so excited to be participating in this conference,” said Motsi.
Motsi further emphasised the importance and impact of their training in preparation for the conferences they are set to attend.
Biological and Environmental Sciences master’s student, Amkelwa Hontshana will be representing WSU at the 23rd International Congress of The International Society for Ethnopharmacology & the 2nd International Congress of the African Phytomedicine Scientific Society, in Cape Town.
Hontshana’s research seeks to promote the sustainability and conservation of Eastern Cape’s natural resources, which embodies WSU’s purpose of producing innovative and impactful research.
Through these initiatives, WSU’s Postgraduate Studies Department is not only enhancing the research capabilities of its students but also ensuring they are prepared to contribute to important academic and societal discussions.
By Yanga Ziwele
