Just a post to bring many people up to date on my pursuit of a Doctor of Technology at the Durban Institute of Technology(DIT). I am posting this since I have received approximately 7 Personal Message enquiries on Durban and I figure there may be more out there too shy to ask. I hope this answers many questions out there and provides another reasonable alternative for a doctorate in South Africa. First, the Durban Institute of Technology was formed through the merger of 2 Technikons in Durban. There have been a lot of growing pains as both technikons were experiencing financial difficulties at the time of the merger. Some of that is still ongoing but with the increased enrollments of the past year things do seem to be improving. Second, I started discussions with Commerce Faculty, Department of Commerce back in November of 2003 via email concerning the possibility of obtaining the DTech in Business Administration. I was contacted by the head of the department who referred me to the senior researcher for further information. After an exchange of emails on the program and costs I submitted my transcripts via a .pdf file for a review. On November 26th 2003 I was offered status based on a review of my transcripts. Status means you are accepted as having met the prerequisites for entry into the program. I will have to send official transcripts soon for them to have on file. In early December, the initial teleconference between myself, my supervisor and the head of department was conducted to get to know each other and discuss my proposed topic. Third, as I was one of the first to enquire on pursuing the DTech via DL, they have spent all of December and most of January developing enrollment procedures and finalizing costs. DIT faxed a series of forms for me to complete and fax back to them. The committee finalized my acceptance last week and sent me my student number and, naturally, a bill for the costs. I wired the money on Friday, so as of today I am their first international DL student for the DTech in Business Administration. I have completed my Topic Analysis and am in the process of writing my Research Proposal. FAQ: Q - Will I have to travel to Durban? A - Maybe, but only to defend the dissertation. I will go anyway in 2005. Q - Is a DTech as viable as a PhD? A - I don't know if it is for all fields. However, as I am a computer geek by trade and I am pursuing a research topic in Information Technology I feel a Doctor of Technology degree is actually better for my needs. Q - How has DIT been for service? A - Except for the January registration period on the DIT campus, I generally receive an answer from my supervisor within 1 business day or less. Q - What is the cost? A - Less than $2000 per year. About normal for SA. Feel free to contact me with any other question.
Chris, thanks for great information. You are reading my mind I am one of those people who want to ask you questions about your doctor degree program but was "too shy to ask".
I like to consult you a littlr bit question. 1. DIT DTech program accept who graduate master in the other field to do a PhD research or not, I'm graduate chemical engineering but I want to pursue study PhD in management. now I considering the Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR) because he can accept but it up to proposal. 2.from youe Q&A. "Will I have to travel to Durban?" How about proposal exam? ...and porgressive exam? 3.How about other Tecknikon? Does any one offer DL degree? Thank,
DIT... I don't think so. There was initial concern over my lack of finance classes in my MBA. They let it by since I had some in my undergrad business degree. This would lead me to believe they would want a management or business administration background. Not that I am aware of. It should be handled via email or conference call. You would have to email them direct. I emailed a couple during my search for a school and the only other one which responded no longer offered DTech's. Or wasn't during the merger. Technikon South Afrika.
