Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is the foremost higher education institution in the heartland of South Africa, dedicated to quality education and training in science, engineering and technology. CUT has developed into a leading institution able to take its place on the national, as well as international, higher education landscape. We will build a university that is highly efficient, sustainable and environmentally conscious

“Reimagining CUT as a transformative University and ‘model’ UoT in Africa, impacting on the socio-economic development of the Central region of South Africa and beyond”.

Core Values

• Reimagining CUT as a transformative University.
• Academic excellence promoting entrepreneurial education.
• Pockets of world-class research programmes.
• “Model”, vibrant innovation ecosystem in Africa.
• Engagement and partnerships nationally and internationally (incl. alumni).
• A sustainable and well-equipped University (smart green campuses and digital transformation).
• Institutional culture of caring and safety towards holistic development (Human Project Stage 2).
• Effective and efficient administration and governance.
• Financial sustainability (running the University as a business).
• Image of CUT as a University: branding, marketing and communication.

Research Topics and Strategies

At CUT research, research development, technology transfer, innovation and commercialisation activities are understood to be complementary. These activities form part of what is commonly known as the research cycle. The research cycle can be described as the process of taking the research problem through various academic stages, such as:

• knowledge generation (postgraduate research),
• knowledge transmission (publications, presentations, and intellectual property),
• knowledge application spin-in to business and industry, and first step towards third-stream income,
• Spin-out and sustained third-stream income, and socio-economic development.

Innovation brings Solution

Where research is normally understood to have a research question/problem for which a solution must be sought, innovation can be explained as having the solution to the problem which must now be converted into a possible product/prototype that can be commercialised. The research cycle thus reflects the integration of research, research development, technology transfer, innovation and commercialisation.

https://www.cut.ac.za/research-and-development-unit 

Strategic Research Clusters

Research clusters and programmes are enablers for building a research and innovation culture.

The cluster is based on a collection of related research programmes, based on the critical mass in a particular field of research, research outputs, completed qualifications and funding awarded.

Although these clusters build strength in areas of focus, the principle of multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary research, amongst listed programmes, is strongly supported.

https://www.cut.ac.za/strategic-research-clusters

Research Centre/Units and Groups

The Research Programmes of the University are performed through critical mass of researchers and organised into different Research Centres/Units/Groups. The organisation of research is based on the Policy on Centres, Units and Groups approved by Senate and Council in 2014. The policy is informed by the University Research and Development Plan, 2014 – 2020.

https://www.cut.ac.za/research-centres-units-and-groups

INSTITUTIONAL DOCTORAL STUDIES OVERVIEW

The number of credits allocated to the Doctoral qualification is 360 credits, all credits being at NQF Level 10. CUT prepares candidates to attain the graduate attributes (knowledge and skills) set out in the Qualification Standard for Doctoral Degrees.  The doctoral candidate should be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct high level research, culminating in a research project, the thesis and the presentation of research results.  CUT offers seventeen different doctoral programmes.  The Research Development Programme offers seminars that aim to contribute towards knowledge development and transferable skills.

RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

The Research Development & Postgraduate Studies section offers a detailed research education training programme in support of the university’s researchers, academic supervisors and postgraduate studies. The focus of research programmes is multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary of nature, with emphasis on sustainable development, answering especially questions such as what kind of research is done? what are the objectives? and what impact will the research have? At the university research, postgraduate studies, research development, technology transfer, innovation and commercialisation activities are understood to be complementary. These activities form part of what is commonly known as the research cycle. To enhance the doctoral experience, the university provides the following programmes to Doctoral Candidates:

⦁Doctoral Programme – Grants and Training
⦁Sabbatical Leave Programme (for staff as students)

DOCTORAL FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

As a drive for the university to grow its research outputs via the completion of Doctoral Degree students, the university log two calls annually in support of Doctoral Degree students. These calls aim to support students in the successful completion of their studies. Supplementary funding is encouraged via Departmental Funding, Grant Agency Funding and Competitive Funding.

1.Call dates

The calls for (i) new applications and (ii) for renewal applications is twice a year:
⦁In n (November) for n + 1: This cover the period: January – December 2019.
⦁In April (n) for the period: July 2019 – June 2020.

i)First-time application: Full Time Doctorates: Maximum 3 years. The award can be used for tuition fees, project costs and living expenses. Renewal of funding for second (2nd) year of study is subject to satisfactory progress approved by supervisor. Moreover, evidence of external funding application and/or submission of a paper relevant to the study to a recognised DHET accredited journal or conference proceeding is required. Renewal of funding for third (3rd) year of study is subject to satisfactory progress approved by supervisor, evidence of external funding application, and submission of a paper relevant to the study to a DHET recognised accredited journal. All awards are subjected to the availability of funding.
ii)First-time application: Part Time Doctorates: Maximum 3 years. The award can be used for tuition fees and project cost only. Renewal of funding for second (2nd) year of study is subject to satisfactory progress approved by supervisor. Moreover, evidence of external funding application and/or submission of a paper to a DHET recognised accredited journal or conference proceeding is required. Renewal of funding for third (3rd) year of study is subject to satisfactory progress approved by supervisor, evidence of external funding application, and submission of a paper to a DHET recognised accredited journal. All awards are subjected to the availability of funding.

To further promote and support research through funding, the following application opportunities are offered to Doctoral Candidates at CUT:

⦁NRF-TWAS Doctoral and African Renaissance Doctoral Scholarships
⦁NRF-NUFFIC Doctoral Scholarships
⦁NRF-SASAC Doctoral Scholarships
⦁S&F - Innovation Doctoral Scholarships

DOCTORAL RESOURCES (TEMPLATES: THESIS, FUNDING APPLICATION ETC)

General Information & Guidelines
⦁General rules
⦁Admission Policies & Procedures
⦁Grievance Procedures
⦁Memorandum of Understanding between student and supervisor
⦁Guidelines for Doctoral abstracts
⦁Guidelines for the Appointment of Supervisors of Doctoral Candidates
⦁Guidelines for the Appointment of External Supervisors and External Co-Supervisors for Doctoral degrees
⦁Guidelines for the Appointment of Examiners for Doctoral Thesis
⦁Guidelines for the Admission of International Students
⦁Application for Sabbatical Leave (for staff as students)
⦁Doctoral Proposal guidelines
⦁Guidelines for Doctoral abstracts
⦁Guidelines for the inclusion of Publications in a Doctoral Thesis
⦁Declaration for inclusion of publications
⦁Turnitin Plagiarism Declaration
⦁Notice of intention to submit

Funding and Opportunities
⦁LS262(a) – Approval of protocol (via the faculty)
⦁LS262(b) – Grant Application form for New Applicants
⦁LS262(c) – Grant Application form for Renewals.

INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

CUT has seven signature themes as a foundation to align the university’s research entities. These themes are:

⦁Additive Manufacturing/3-D printing;
⦁Sustainability in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution;
⦁Entrepreneurship, small business development and governance;
⦁Diversity and societal challenges;
⦁Research on postgraduate supervision and postgraduate studies;
⦁Sustainable food security; and
⦁Quality and health and living.

The university has six Research Centres. These centres are:

⦁Centre for Applied Food Security and Biotechnology (CAFSaB)
⦁Centre for diversity in higher education research
⦁Centre for Enterprise Studies
⦁Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM)
⦁Centre for Sustainable Smart Cities
⦁Centre on Quality of Health and Living


REPOSITORIES (PHD AIDS)

Click on   http://ir.cut.ac.za/ for CUT’s DSpace Repositories