Dear All, I got my PhD from Kennedy-Western Univerisity in 2001. However, after knowing from your resepected forum that it is just a degree-mill. I decided to start studying my PhD again in an accredited university. Based on the recommondation of some fellows in this forum I chose University of Pretoria and now thanks God I am in my end year and my thesis is being reviewed at the moment. I am telling this in order to thank you all for your help to complete my study in a legitimate university. Second, I would like to ask about the repetition of the university of Pretoria and its accrediation in the West countries (US, Canada, UK, etc.) and Australia and could a PhD from Pretoria can teach in these contries? Thank you all again Kind Regards Muhammad Alhor PhD candidate (computer science), University of Pretoria
Great to hear that Muhammad! Best of luck with the defence! Also, can you give us a bit more detail abotu U-o-Pretoria. How is the educational standard. How is the faculty, and did you study via DL or did you have to visit Pretoria. Many thanks, Mahmood
Greetings! I am in the second year of my PhD studies in practical theology through the University of Pretoria. I am working at a distance from my home in North Dakota, USA. I recently was hired as a tenure-track faculty member at a 147-year-old, fully-accredited institution. Throughout the candidacy process, my status as a PhD student at Pretoria was never treated with suspicion or spoken of as though it were inadequate. It has helped that my research promoter is an internationally-celebrated figure in his field of study. I have been enjoying my experience as a Pretoria student, and look forward to the day when I can celebrate being a graduate of this institution.
Thank you all for your greetings. Regarding the U-o-P, I like there organization so far. My supervisor is a well-known researcher in his area of interest and he is an author of a book. He is very helpful. Actually, I have a co-supervisor in my own country. This cosupervior is a faculty member in the country's main university. Both my supervisor in Pretoria and my co-supervisor agreed on what is required from me. Then, I start my research with most of the interaction with my co-supervisor through face-to-face meetings.
Questions, questions! That sounds convenient! Where are you? Does having a co-supervisor keep you from having to visit South Africa? Did Pretoria suggest a co-supervisor, or did you have one in mind to start? Did you get the sense that they are accustomed to working with PhD students internationally? Regards, -=Steve=-
Hi Muhammad: Your post made my day! You are to be complimented for your moral courage in rejecting KW now that you have more information, and your choice of Pretoria is a most distinguished one. Best of luck to you. Regards, Janko
Thank you all for your complements. First of all, I am working off-campus, thus I will go to Pretoria only for the defence of my thesis. Regarding my co-supervisor, I selected a faculty member in my country that has similar interest to my supervisor in Pretoria. I did that because I know it is tough to work in distance because u need to discuss things with some one you can see. Therefore, I suggested the idea to my supervisor in Pretoria and he welcomed the idea. When I submitted my thesis both my supervisor and co-supervisor signed it. I just want to add, that for Pretoria to get graduated you have to publish at least one paper in an internal journal. Now, I would like to ask about the repetition of the university of Pretoria and its accrediation in the West countries (US, Canada, UK, etc.) and Australia and could a PhD from Pretoria can teach in these contries?
Hi Muhammad: The reputation is good. Pretoria possesses the South African equivalent of "regional accreditation" in the US. South African accreditation is structured differently, but the level of quality control is equivalent. A graduate of a doctoral program at Pretoria should have no difficulty in the Anglophone teaching market, everything else being equal. A degree from Pretoria should not be a problem. It is one of the best South African universities. Regards, Janko
uncle janko Thank you for your great news. But do u think that a proof pf a residency will be required by any university that I will try to join?
No. From what I have read here there is not often a notation on a transcript indicating distance learning, and such a notation would be very rare on any documentation of your doctorate. Also, at the research doctorate level, it shouldn't matter much in any case. My firm belief is that you can proceed with confidence.
Dear all, I have received the following letter from the university of Pretoria. Can any one help in understanding what does it me to approve the title (i.e. is it only the subject approaved? or the thesis as a whole)? =========================================== I have pleasure in informing you that the following has been approved: Title : Particle swarm optimization methods for pattern recognition and image processing Supervisor : -- ============================================= Thank you in advance Kind Regards
Hi Hello Muhammad, It means your thesis topic has been approved under that title. Begin working! Congratulations. KKA
Dear All, Thanks God... Today I have passed the examination (thesis defence) and finally completed my PhD degree. Thanks God! I am really happy and wish you all the best in your study Muhammad
Incidentally, we had another degreeinfo contributor doing a PhD in Computer Science at Pretoria: Mahamed from Kuwait. Go Tukkies!