When research students come to the end of their HDR journey, they must, with help from their supervisors, identify experts in their field to examine the work they’ve completed. This process determines if they’ve met the standard of the highest level of academic achievement. Until now, this task was a seemingly endless process of paper forms walked around campus, requiring countless reviews, time and signatures.

“The examiner nomination process was an arduous task, to be completed at a time after students have already finished the hard work,” said Dr Ren Yi, Director, Research Training and International Research Training Partnerships. “By moving our key processes online we are greatly improving the experience for both students and staff and putting an end to an unsustainable process.”

Dr Yi says their process improvements are in direct response to Objective 2 in the University’s Strategic Research Framework which aims to ensure HDR support services enrich the research experience and enable research goals.

“The HDRO is committed to achieving our strategic research framework goals by providing our students and academic staff with world class support through enriching experiences and enabling facilities, policies and processes,” said Dr Yi.

Dr Yi explains the benefits are twofold. “Students can be confident that the process is robust and secure. In the future, staff will also benefit from a database of regularly utilised, approved examiners that will enable a more equitable sharing of examinations.”

“This is a very important milestone and a perfect example of how areas of the University are taking up the challenge to streamline and modernise their processes,“ said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sakkie Pretorious in congratulating the HDRO project team.

Access the new online system via the Higher Degree Research website.