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Developing holistic scholars: PhD Bootcamp

The GCI in partnership with the Wits Business School formulated and hosted a PhD Bootcamp for GCI PhD students, GCI postdoctoral researchers and GCI alumni.

From bottom left: Julie Stacy (presenter), Mesfin Shimabri, Ntombifuthi Monedi-Noko, Ruwa Matsika, Prue Mutumi, Rhoda (course organiser), Jeannine McManus; Middle row from r-l: Njongenhle Nyoni, Marco Machona, Hugo De Lemos, Ekeminiabasi Eyita, Deborah Jewitt, Yolandi Ernst, Olumuyiwa Adegun; Top row from l-r: Kamleshan Pillay, David Olivier

According to Jessika Samuels, GCI Operations Manager, the PhD Research Intelligence Bootcamp was designed for today’s emerging researcher. “Given the competitive environment researchers are operating in, we see this course as giving them an advantage in areas  that traditional postgraduate training does not,” says Samuels.

The PhD Bootcamp is an advanced course designed for scholars who are at PhD level, but stand at the cusp of launching their own independent science careers, in academia and elsewhere. This was the first course of its kind run and the GCI had decided to include postdoctoral research fellows together with recently graduated GCI (PhD) alumni to participate. For postdoctoral researchers and alumni, the PhD Bootcamp was used as a refresher of sorts.

“The GCI invests heavily in our postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers as we understand that they are the future leaders. In various engagement sessions with our young researchers they mentioned areas they felt they required further training on. GCI then approached Wits Business School (WBS) to ascertain if they would be willing to develop  a course for us. The course was co-developed with GCI to ensure that the content spoke holistically to the requests we received from our scholars, and to what we saw as critical development areas for the emerging researcher. WBS sourced the presenters and arranged accreditation for the course,” explains Samuels.

It was a five day course that included the following modules:

  • Leadership
  • Team Dynamics and Communication
  • Research Overview
  • Research Values and Ethics
  • Research Project Management
  • Obtaining Funding: proposals, budgeting, grants and planning

“The modules focus on self-development which lends to young researchers assessing their career trajectories and research going forward i.e. academic research, industrial research etc.,” says Samuels. 

Some feedback from attendees included the following:  

"The experience exceeded my expectations."

"Powerful and relevant."

"The Research Intelligence Bootcamp should be part of the curricula for any PhD student!"

 On whether attendees would recommend the course:

"Yes, the workshop brought a great balance of how an academic/researcher can conduct research with business acumen (i.e. proper research planning, research funding) and publish with integrity. The level at which the course was pitched at was in-line with PhD scholars."

"I think the course was very beneficial. The structure was well laid out and 5 days was sufficient. The practicals/activities were excellent and besides the inter-personal skill development and learning you get a chance to connect with other GCI scholars. I highly encourage all scholars at GCI to attend in future."

The PhD Bootcamp was enabled via GCI programmes funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Exxaro and the Open Society Foundations. 

 

 

 

 

 

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