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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Information and Communication Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115764  Doctor of Information and Communication Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to produce learners that possess original and creative thinking ability, and advanced problem-solving skills to make significant contribution to the existing IT field of knowledge, and the ICT profession by contributing to knowledge creation, innovation that is responsive to emerging complex problems in industry, government or society through applied research in the field of information technology.

Rationale:
Doctor of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) is a professional qualification that is based on applied research in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enable learners to become mature applied researchers in ICT that can advance developments in the IT sector. DICT aims to promote innovation and technology advancement in ICT that can foster socio-economic development through jobs creation and employment, especially in the field of ICT. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A learner who has provided evidence to the satisfaction of the assessors that the stated competence of the preceding qualification will be allowed access.

Entry Requirements:
  • Specialised subject knowledge in an academic discipline that is related to ICT such as Information Technology, Information Systems, Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Systems, Computer Systems Engineering or equivalent.
  • Core technical skills in the field of IT such as computer programming, system development, system analysis and design; simulation and modelling, and data science skills.
  • Advanced knowledge of research methodology.
  • Advanced research skills. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, 360 Credits:
  • Research thesis; 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Apply research methodologies in a specialised field of IT.
  • Use IT research skills to identify, analyse and solve problems of professional, individual and societal kinds creatively.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of the team, group, organisation, and community mainly in the case of IT research projects.
  • Identify and manage personal conducts and activities responsibly and effectively in keeping research projects on track.
  • Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate IT Research data by using appropriate tools and techniques.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and or written presentation of IT Research literature, methodology and findings.
  • Use science and technology tools and resources effectively, and responsibly with the required level of ethical awareness concerning people, policies, laws, regulations and the environment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding that IT exists in a world defined as a set of related systems by recognising that the specific context in IT research does not exist in isolation. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner:
  • Communicate in specific Information Technology problem-solving situations effectively.
  • Write a thesis demonstrating the useful application of appropriate theoretical knowledge and research methodology.
  • Analyse, design, and evaluate any original industrial project in the field of Information Technology, proving the learner's ability to do unique and innovative Information Technology research.
  • Submit research papers to be presented at local, national and or international conferences and submit articles for publication to accredited journals.
  • Present research papers at the local, national and or international conferences.
  • Publish articles in accredited journals. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    South Africa is trying to build a more stable economy using internal resources; therefore, it is important to develop the pool of IT expertise. Comparable to some of the leaders in the global economy such as the USA, Australia, and Europe, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is multidisciplinary embracing aspects of computer science, information systems, software engineering, telecommunication, and information technology. Therefore, different institutions have placed a different emphasis on certain aspects of ICT in the conceptualisation of their Doctorate of ICT programmes. Some of the universities that are known to have Doctorate of ICT or PhD in ICT programmes include the following:
  • Australia; University of South Australia; PhD Information and Communication Technology; It is an advanced qualification that allows learners to investigate a topic that is relevant to any of the aspects of the ICT field. The goal is to enable learners to flourish in a technology hub of theoretical, applied and cross-disciplinary research.
  • Australia; Charles Sturt University; PhD Information and Communication Technology; it is a specialisation of the Doctor of Information Technology qualification that focuses on applied research and tackling of industry-based problems.
  • Australia, Swinburne University; PhD Information and Communication Technology; It enables the students to undertake supervised research to make a significant and original contribution to the IT discipline or IT profession.
  • Italy; University of Trento; PhD Information and Communication Technology; It is a professional doctorate programme to train professionals able to develop high-quality and innovative information, and telecommunication systems addressed to solving complex problems. It also pursues the goal of enhancing the learner's entrepreneurial abilities by furnishing specific training and opportunities to undertake internships.
  • Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; The Doctor in Information and Communication Technologies covers many of the most important research topics in the information society.
  • Netherlands; (PDEng) Professional Doctorate of Engineering in Information and Communication Technology; The programme educates students in the design of systems that can process, store and convey information in every sense of the word. This programme includes the design and construction of systems parts and component, and also the interaction between hardware and software intensive systems. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer and Information Sciences, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.