We've been together since September 2012 and as many of you would agree, this SANPAD journey we've undertaken has come with a series of highs and lows.
In the spirit of sharing, please post your experiences on the SANPAD programme.
Happy reflections
xoxo
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ReplyDeleteSANPAD gave me a taste of what I needed to learn for my PhD research in several areas including research methodology and the fantastic (SSP, ANOVA) STATISTICS. SANPAD has also enabled me to become acquainted with numerous colleagues from my institution and other institutions and this is good for future collaboration across different disciplines. It gives me enormous joy and pride to be able to talk/share about my research to the best and brightest in terms of intellectual capabilities "SANPAD 2013 RCI Cohort". As a scientist/chemist, "we" normally spend most of our time in the lab talking to our '(cellulose fibres, instruments and chemicals) which then becomes a lonely PhD journey, I can gladly conclude that I have found my family at SANPAD.
ReplyDeleteThis has been an invaluable experience and will definitely pass on to my colleagues and students.
Thanks Z, Simone:-)
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ReplyDeleteMy experiences in the SANPAD programme
ReplyDeleteDuring my time in the SANPAD programme I have grown not only as researcher, but also as human being. This growth was made possible by the intellectual stimulating and challenging discussions going on in every class but also outside of class. Talking about my study each time illuminated my thinking and resulted in me owning my study. I have gained a lot of knowledge and skills for my own study as well as for guiding future research students. SANPAD made the hard and often cruel research world much “softer” and opened up a new field of future possibilities for me...
I am fortunate to have been part of the SANPAD 2012/13 doctoral student support programme. I learnt a lot from the extensive research expertise and experience the different facilitators in their respective research fields shared with us in the course of the programme. Of great value for me was learning about different research methodologies in the social sciences, from research designs, analytic methods, presenting findings as well as exposure to some computer aided research software programmes, attending all the different modules have been worthwhile in many important ways especially so for someone like me who is relatively young in the business of research. I should say, however, that learning in the SANPAD programme was not only from facilitators but I learnt many things as well from fellow students as they spoke about their own research projects and responded to my own. I wish everyone success in their individual PhD projects as well as future careers whether in academia or elsewhere. With kind regards, Emmanuel Mayeza emayeza2@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBeing on the SANPAD RCI program has been the greatest experience of my career to date. I have met amazing people in fellow participants and the facilitators including the admin. team. I have learnt what it really means to be an academic. Before I was on the program, I thought I was very good at what I was doing, i.e. teaching but I learnt that there is more to the life of an academic than being a good lecturer who passes on information others have generated. I have decided to get more involved in knowledge generation through academic research. On the SANPAD program I also discovered that I could actually be a very quiet guy. People normally regard me as a person who enjoys talking and interacting with a different people, but I am yet to discover what happened to me to be such a mute person most of the time while on the SANPAD program. To the SANPAD family, I just want to thank you individually and severally for your care, love and knowledge. I learn a lot from each one of you in and outside the seminar room. To our facilitators, you were so wonderful and keep helping others. So if anyone of you guys plans to visit Zambia for work or holiday, let me know so that I show the Zambian hospitality. Eustace Nkandu
ReplyDeleteWow, SANPAD. Being in a room filled with ridiculously smart and interesting people. Being treated to the best academic input and guidance available, and being treated as if what we are doing is valuable and worthwhile. No matter how convinced you are that your project is a good thing to be doing, it means a whole lot to have an organisation like SANPAD recognise it and take it seriously. It has been a huge boost to my confidence as an academic, and my ability to think critically about research has been sharpened and strengthened. I've been able to network with people in a wide range of fields, and as a "connector", I'm excited by the potential to turn these links to value in future. The teaching about developing a proposal has already made me a more effective support to colleagues embarking on research, and I look forward to applying even more as a supervisor one day. Thank you, Dankie, and Dank je wel to SANPAD!!!Kate Sherry
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience this year with SANPAD has been! I feel so Blessed to have met so many extroadinary academics, future doctorates and professors. I believe that being part of this programme has given my PhD the kickstart it needed. It has also given me the confidence to pursue this dream of mine and has made the task seem less daunting. I am immensely grateful for all the advice, tips and constructive criticisms which have helped to shape this project. Throughout this year I have made friends for life and have gained a much needed support group for this PhD journey. Love you all! <3
ReplyDeleteMy career as criminal investigator and hostage negotiator before becoming an academic in 2011 has taught me many wonderful life lessons. One of the converging life lessons is based on a biblical scripture in James 1:19 which states: ‘But everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry’. In addition to literally saving my life on one or two occasions, this scripture has helped me to at least be more prepared for life’s challenges and the fact that, as people, we are all uniquely and divinely different. I’ve learned that even-handed wisdom is a virtue and by responding compulsively to discomfort you only do yourself a disservice. SANPAD, however, revealed a different angle to this specific life lesson and made a significant contribution towards my ability to think both critically and constructively about life. Engaging in thought provoking discussions about life experiences, theories, ontology, worldviews etc., confirmed that life truly is a confluence of complexities and an amalgamation of inconsistencies….SANPAD equipped me to be more prepared for the journey and curve balls that life has to offer. Finally, Theodore Roosevelt argued that “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care”. I am privileged to know such people…...people who not only know [very] much, but who are of noble character and whose ambitions transcend the typical selfish human nature. SANPAD – I am eternally grateful; SANPADIANS – I salute you!
ReplyDeleteMy fellow sanpadders!
ReplyDeleteFamous words by Dr Seuss "Don't cry because its over...smile because it happened.
I have always maintained my accidental PHD status...never quite feeling that I belonged to this group of scholarly academics...I still remember our first day of INTRODUCTIONS...and everyone speaking of their PHDs...and all I wanted to do was sneak in my Fifty Shades of Grey and escape into the arms of Chritian Grey...Now free of those "shackles" that kept me spellbound...I search for new ontologies, epistomologies and axologies...shifting paradigms, mixing methodologies and engaging in discourses that stimulate far more than fifty shades ever could!
Thank you my new found SANPAD friends,burning the midnight oil on this PHD journey...I know I will never be alone.
SANPAD facilitators...thank you is far to simplistic to express the depth of gratitude I have for the knowledge and time you have shared with us.
To Siya and his team...thank you for choosing me to be part of this esteemed group and allowing me the privilge of being a SANPAD scholar.
My SANPAD experience was quite a trip.
ReplyDeleteAlthough at first I felt out of depth, I now feel equipped
for the challenges that I must face, I've learnt a few tips
and so I'm sure that my walk will have less slips
So many faces, personalities rich in diversity
Together, united we overcame adversity
What a privilege and honour to have met you all
Blessed indeed I am to have answered this call
From Zambia to Namibia and then Tanzania
Cape Town, Pretoria, from all over South Africa
Thanks for your generosity, and family love
You are my comrades, my brothers, my sisters from above.
To our mentors, facilitators and of course Siyabonga
Your name says it all, indeed siyabonga
So thank you to SANPAD we will soon make you proud,
It may take a while but our success you need not doubt
The investment you have made, is deeply appreciated
You’ve enriched our lives in ways we are still to discover.
…………………..THANK YOU………………
Wow..To think that we have travelled this journey together is unbelievable. It has a been a journey worth walking. To all the SANPAD FAMILY, it was the most memorable experience for me.I have achieved so much through the support received from each and every individual. I usually am the shy person who is very difficult to connect with, but have find this family very easy to connect with...the ongoing support was tremendous...through this endevour I have learnt to be patience...have learnt to not rest but continuously focus on my proposal..read...read and read...consult. Regardless of the support, there were times when I got so emotional strained that I wanted to quit..but my SANPAD family...my family...work collegues gave me the reason to do it. I can now relate with my proposal...you can work me up and ask me my research questions, and can confidently share now...I also have a beautiful daughter whom they call 'FACILITATOR' as I travel with her wherever I go...to all the facilitators...to the Coordinator" THANK YOU ALL' THE JOURNEY WAS WORTH TRAVELLING ...NGIYABONGA
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that it is almost September 2013. That an entire year has almost passed since this wonderful PhD journey with my fellow SANPAD'ers (as we like to refer to ourselves) began.
ReplyDeleteWhat an experience it has been.
Friday 7th September 2012 is where it all began. The previous RCI cohort would hand over to us, the 2012-2013 RCI cohort. The last SANPAD RCI cohort. Great expectations of us. It was that night that many of us realised, "wow...look at where we are, look at the people we are surrounded by...this experience is going to be important. This experience is going to define our PhD journey". It most certainly has.
I expected intense training from the course. I expected good facilitators to guide us through the modules. I expected decent organization, and accommodation. What I received...far exceeded this! We received world class training from excellent facilitators, who were mentors as well. Organisation by Siyabonga Dlamini, Denise and others was outstanding. And the accomodation, food and transport...well...absolutely stunning, awesome, amazing (insert memory of jumping up and down with excitement in hotel rooms here, whilst taking many many pictures)!
What I did not expect however, was the friendships I would make. All I'm saying is...Toight Toigers for life.
Now we are reaching the end of our SANPAD journey, but the beginning of another journey! I know that we are all very excited, and will be there to support one another.
I am incredibly grateful to SANPAD for the investment that they have made in me, and all of us, and I know that the knowledge and experience that we have gained will not only ensure for successful completion of our PhD's, but also the PhD's that we will supervise (by means of our awesome new skills!!) in the future.
Goodluck everyone, and thank you SANPAD.
Bronwyne (aka Brongiwe aka Toight Toiger)
Just writing this reflection I find myself getting a bit emotional because I know that the 2012/2013 programme is almost at it’s end. For me, this experience was one that even in academic terms is indescribable.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard that I was awarded a spot on the prestigious SANPAD programme, I felt so elate, but at the same time I felt extremely nervous because I was afraid of being negatively judged by other more academic, and more clever peers. How wrong was I!
This programme provided an open, safe space to learn from facilitators and peers, as well as to openly engage in critical discussion without fear. The facilitators were extremely rich in knowledge, empathy, warmth and their willingness to share information with the cohort. This aided my capacity to absorb content in a much more relaxed manner. There was (and probably still is) so much to learn. There were days where I thought ontology, epistemology, methodology etc etc would come out of my ears and I felt very overloaded and bombarded with information. However, when I got back into the workplace and I would speak to colleagues, they would be surprised with my knowledge, and so was I because I had no idea where it came from (not literally of course). This being said, I think that what I learnt on this course will be embedded in me forever!
Although we've learnt so much on this course for which I am eternally grateful; one of my greatest acquisitions in this process is that I have made lifelong friends with some highly intellectual individuals. The bonds we've built and the memories made will forever be entrenched in my memory as some of the best times in my life.
Thank you SANPAD for the opportunity! I am eternally grateful.
Good luck to all my fellow future Professors!
#OnwardsAndUpwards.
Citius, Altius, Fortius :- Swifter, Higher, Stronger (Olympic Motto)
All my love, light and blessing to you all.
Simone
xoxo
I am so fortunate to have been part of the SANPAD family. What a wonderful programme...excellent facilitators, decent organisation, charismatic friends . Wow!
ReplyDeleteSANPAD has made me a different person. I have gained skills and strength that one needs to be able to sail through the PhD journey. I can now respond confidently, even when asked for the 357th time "What is your main research question?". I cannot imagine how would my PhD journey be like without SANPAD.
Thank you Siyabonga and the SANPAD management for the investment. It is worth it!
I wish everyone a life full of happiness and success
Ngiyabonga-Asante!.
Regina.
Reflections on the SANPAD journey…. Wow, a year worth of memories opened up by 5 short words…
ReplyDeleteThere is too much to say, so I’m going to keep it sweet and short. Many thanks to all the Sanpad (and Santrust) 2012/2013 cohorts. I cannot imagine having done this programme with other colleagues. Thank you to Deniece from ThoughtFire for all her arrangements with accommodation and all related issues. Thank you to all the people from BestBuy Holidays for getting us where we have to be, on time, every time. Thank you to all the friendly staff from Southern Sun Elangeni for always treating us like VIP’s. Thank you to Sanpad and our Dutch sponsors for providing us with this incredible opportunity. Thank you to all our fantastic facilitators for their insight and wisdom throughout the process. Thank you to my supervisor, Dr Karen Calitz, for her willingness to share this journey with me and all her support throughout the LL.D journey. Thank you to Johan, my husband, for his support during the year and especially this last week in looking after our beautiful baby boy, Daniël, and his willingness to do so in Durban with me. I love both of you without end. And then, VERY IMPORTANTLY, many thanks to Siyabonga for EVERYTHING done for us during the last 12 months. No grey hair to be seen... but I’m sure there must have been times where he asked himself why he is putting up with us! Finally, thank you to God for blessing me with this opportunity and keeping me and my family safe throughout all travel over the last 12 months.
Although The RCI programme is now coming to an end, may it live on in our hearts and the friendships that have been formed for many years to come.
Lots of love
Elsabé