In South African Tecknikons they grant DTech as their doctoral degrees, whilst universities grant the PhD's. In the same manner they grant MTech instead of MBA. Does anybody think there is a difference ? I think now to apply to Durban Institute of Technology to DTech by DL. Do you thing the name of the degree should influence me ? From one hand, this is the terminal degree, from the other hand - it might be that people wonders about the "strange" title. Thank you for your opinions, YSinger
These are considered second class degrees in South Africa, and in the U.S. they are almost unknown. Indeed, someone here would be just as likely to think the "DTech" is a Diploma in Technology, or a Database Technician. I don't know how they would be considered in Israel.
Dear oxpecker, In Israel there is a BTech at colleges only, that is considered inferior to BSc. No MTech or Dtech. However, Israeli academics usually does not pay attention to initials but to content. e.g. MSc in Business vs MBA or alike. You must know that Technikons in South Africa are accredited and DTech is their highest degree granted. Ironically you should know that in Israel there is no DBA so people might think of you as a"Data Base Administrator" granted by Microsoft....... (Non academic at all). I am going probably to register to South Afriacn institution since the price is very-very tempting, but I did not make my mind: should I prefer University of the Western Cape's PhD (uknown,, historicaly black, good institution) or Durban's DTech (sounds known, Tecknikon, historicaly white, good one too). Thank you again for your opinions, YSinger
I am applying to SA as well I have been in discussions with UNISA, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Free State and, after reading the post from YSinger, I have emailed Durban. I am, currently, leaning towards Stellenbosch as they have a PHD and their business school is AMBA and EQUIS accredited. They indicate it would take at least 2 years and require a trip a year but I am trying to talk that down to 1 trip total. Apparently, it mostly depends on the promoter so I may have to go ahead and apply and then negotiate with him or her. I emailed some other schools I found on the SA Education Ministry's site but I have not heard back from them or they required too many trips to SA (Wits). It appears all the schools are on break and I have only been able to contact the administrative staffs. I hope to get more definitive answers in October when the break is over. Is anyone in a program that requires no travel to SA? Actually, I would like to go at least once so that would be acceptable. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments that would be helpful as I go through this process? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Cape Technikon In the past I was in contact with Cape Tecknikon, located in Cape Town. I know they are merging now and changing their name. They asked only one trip. What about my question - is DTeck OK ? Ysinger
I suspect that you will be happier in the long run with the PhD. If you have the choice, go with a regular university rather than a technikon--Stellenbosch has an elite reputation in some fields, and UVS and UWC are both respectable schools. The technikons are not quite on the same level as universities, and in light of the current merger frenzy, their future is relatively more uncertain. BTW, Oxpecker is from SA and knows in great detail what he is talking about.
Israel and South Africa In the past, Israel and South Africa have appeared to have fairly close political and thus, I would imagine, educational ties. I would check around Israel and see how this question shakes out there. One tactic I use is to google the degree title and university (technikon) name to see how many people have the qualification and how they are employed. If you were to find quite a few people with the D Tech that are also professors in Israel or the middle east it might not be such a big deal. I would think a lot would depend on what you plan to do with it. I am a computer geek by trade w/an MBA in Information Technology Management. I wish a doctorate along the same lines. In my case, a D Tech from the Durban Institute of Technology might work very well for my purposes. However, that being said, I would still go for the PHD from Stellenbosch first because of the school's reputation and professional accreditation.
First time on the Board! Great forum! Like OxPecker, I am also from South Africa originally. I have lived in the US for a longtime and am considering enrolling for a Doctoral degree in Business in South Africa. I did my undergraduate at the University of Pretoria. I am considering UNISA, Stellenbosch (SUN) and University of Cape Town. UNISA said they were in the process of acquring Equis accreditation. Chris, I am especially interested in your progress and would like to talk to you about that further. As for the question about D.Tech, I would have to agree with Oxpecker and say that it would not be considered equivalent to a PhD from a good South African University.
Re: First time on the Board! This sounds interesting. I searched UNISA's website but the only reference to Equis was the MBA from Open University. Do you have a link? Thanks
Rodger14, I am within weeks of submitting my applications and proposals to The University of the Free State and Stellenbosh. I am waiting on my diploma from Touro. They have great service until you need your diploma, just kidding. Oh well, I am also waiting on a rec from my dean as well. All in good time, I guess. Chris
EQUIS accreditation Prof Johan Rall, Director of the MBL/DBL program replied to an e-mail query of mine on 08.12.2003 "We are currently accredited with the DETC and our local CHE. We have applied for Equis accreditation and have a follow up visit in January 2004. I am sure we will then be fully accredited"
Free State VS Stellenbosch Chris, Stellenbosch is a great town and a great school. I have limited experience woth Free State or Bloemfontien. Tolken (author of "Lord of the Rings") was born in Bloemfontein!
I have been loosely following the university merger news updates despite the fact that my own school will not be directly effected. I know, for example, that all the Technikons will be merged into the regular university system in some manner. Have you confirmed that the resulting post-merger institutions will continue to offer DTech programs and this will continue to be the degree designation? Just wondering. Jack
Calling South Africa I noticed in one of these threads someone mentioned the high cost of calling South Africa. There are several calling cards available. I use them all the time to call South Africa. Some of them are as cheap as 8c a minute. I think the one might be called the Blackstone calling card but I am sure there are others with similar rates.
Thanks Rodger14 I better not let my daughter know that Tolkein info. As a serious Lord of the Rings fan she might transfer there from the local school, lol. I am impressed with what I see from both schools and towns. Regardless of which I choose for my studies, I will visit both when I go to SA. We are planning on at least a 2 week trip maybe 3.
