Process of Supervisor Appointment

Before a supervisor is appointed, a student needs to submit a 2-page research prospectus indicating the following;

• proposed title and scope of study,
• brief statements of research problems,
• conceptual framework (e.g. the variables involved, methods used in brief)
• reasons for undertaking the study (e.g. career enhancement, academic requirement, self-fulfilment)

Supervisor

The School may assign a suitable supervisor after admission or the student may nominate his/her own supervisor by submitting a Nomination of Thesis Supervisor / Supervisory Committee Form (SGS S001) and the research prospectus.

• A student with the advice of the Supervisor may nominate a Supervisory Committee (if required). If a Supervisory Committee is required, the student must complete and submit a Nomination of Thesis Supervisor/Supervisory Committee Form (SGS S001) to the School of Graduate Studies.
• A Supervisory Committee must consist of a Chairman and at least one (1) other member who is capable of providing advice and guidance to the student’s research.
• The Chairman of the Supervisory Committee may be the Supervisor or any other academic member appointed by the School.

Additional Requirements for Appointment of Supervisor(s)

In addition to the above requirements, a Supervisor/Supervisory Committee for a student pursuing a Master’s degree may also be one of the following persons:

• An academic staff member who is a Doctoral degree holder; or
• An academic staff member with the rank of a Lecturer with a Master’s degree qualification and has published his research; or
• An individual with relevant postgraduate or professional qualification recognised by the University.

Whereas, Supervisor/Supervisory Committee for a student pursuing a Doctoral degree may be one of the following persons:

• An academic staff member who is a Doctoral degree holder; or
• An academic staff member who is a Professor/Associate Professor; or
• An individual with relevant postgraduate or professional qualification recognised by the University.

Restriction

A Supervisor or members of a Supervisory Committee shall not in any manner be personally related to the student who is under their supervision.

Change of a Supervisor or Reconstitution of the Supervisory Committee

A student may seek to change the Supervisor or reconstitute the Supervisory Committee if he/she believes that continued supervision by the Supervisor/Supervisory Committee will not lead to the satisfactory completion of the degree. The student has to complete and submit a Change of Dissertation/Thesis Supervisor or Reconstitution of Thesis Supervisory Committee Form to the Dean for approval.