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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy: Conflict Transformation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86586  Doctor of Philosophy: Conflict Transformation 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  People/Human-Centred Development 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  416  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy: Conflict Transformation is to produce scholars who can apply key principles and protocols of research in the field of Conflict Transformation. Completion of the qualification also strengthens the ability of a learner to supervise, assess and publish research papers in Journals.

It also seeks to do the following:
  • Prepare learners to be highly qualified scholars in academic institutions and research environments in South Africa and across Africa.
  • Prepare learners who can make useful contributions as part of peace initiatives driven by a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from NGOs to national governments and international organisations.
  • Build national and regional capacity in the peace field to address one of the most debilitating challenges facing the African continent.
  • Prepare learners who can participate in high level policy and managerial positions in the growing world of non-governmental organisations and the private sector within the peace environment.

    Rationale:

    Conflict is a universal phenomenon. In countries such as Darfur, Iraq and Sri Lanka disputes over identity, politics, resources, and religion, have given rise to the need for new and creative approaches to transforming conflict and re-establishing social connections. While protracted conflicts take time to resolve, they may be transformed from violent disputes into more manageable, peaceful forms.

    Qualified personnel in conflict transformation are needed on the African continent which is characterised by more conflicts than any other region. The South African government has identified Conflict Transformation as a priority area of capacity building. The African Union is expected to have a greater role in regional conflict resolution.

    This qualification seeks to address the present and future potential shortfall of qualified experts in conflict transformation and peace building. It also aims to produce leaders capable of shaping a more just and equitable world by working in areas like conflict prevention, management and transformation. Learners graduating from this qualification could enter successful careers in government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and the private sector. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners who register for this qualification must be able to communicate knowledge of the discipline coherently and logically.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    In cases where relevant experience or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a learner may be admitted by permission of the Senate.

    Access to Qualification:

    Access to the qualification is a Master's Degree or equivalent in:
  • Conflict Transformation.
  • Peace Studies.
  • Political Science.
  • Law.
  • Development Studies.
  • Sociology or related areas as adjudged by the school of faculty.

    Evidence of having successfully completed a module in research methodology at Master's Level.

    Learners without a module in Conflict Transformation/Peace Studies or Political Sciences may be required to complete a relevant module before commencing on their thesis. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification is made up of a compulsory and an elective component totalling 416 credits as follows:

    Compulsory Component:
  • The module: Research Design and Implementation, 16 Credits.
  • Research culminating in a Doctoral Thesis, 384 Credits.

    Elective Component:

    One of the following modules, each worth 16 credits, must be completed:
  • Theory and Practice of Non Violence.
  • Restorative Justice.
  • Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
  • African Approaches to Conflict Transformation.
  • Any Other Module in Conflict Transformation.

    Total 416 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate and apply the key principles and protocols of research in the field of study.

    2. Demonstrate research leadership within a field conflict transformation and across disciplines.

    3. Supervise and assess learners' work at Honour's and Master's degree Level.

    4. Publish articles, present papers and/or contribute to conferences in the field of study and across disciplines and foster critical discussion both among and between academics and practitioners.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    All Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed by this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following assessment criteria are applied in an integrated manner:
  • The dissertation/thesis meets the criteria of assessment for Doctoral Degrees set down by Senate and the faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences.
  • Oral presentations on the research project and its findings and recommendations are presented to peers using appropriate technological aids, terminology and language.
  • At least one research paper is published or accepted for publication in an accredited journal before the submission of thesis.
  • Master's and Honours Degree research is supervised and positive advice and recommendations given to the relevant learners to enable them to complete their projects.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Learners will be monitored and assessed to ensure that they are making due progress. The assessments will be linked to timelines as follows:
  • Completion of proposal: 4 - 6 Months.
  • Completion of Literature Review: 4 - 6 Months.
  • Completion of Field Research: 6 - 12 Months.
  • Completion of all Chapters: 6 - 12 Months.
  • Publication of one research paper/receipt of acceptance letter from editor.
  • Submission of Final Draft: Three years from commencement of programme.

    The learners who require interventions will receive direct attention by mentors. All supervisors and mentors are required to write reports of progress for each learner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification compares well with similar qualifications offered by the following international Universities:
  • Nova Southeastern University - California.
  • University of Hawai - Manoa.

    It also conforms to the international standards required of PhD students in terms of research and the publishing and communicating of its finds and recommendations. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates with any cognate Doctoral Degree. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The thesis will be examined by examiners who are active in the field of study and have at least a PhD degree. The University will have one internal and the minimum of three external examiners. The external examiners are appointed from research-oriented Universities or from research bodies in South Africa and overseas, who have a respect of their peers as experts in the particular field of study.

    They will be chosen as follows:
  • One from within the University.
  • One local expert.
  • One international expert. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All persons engaged in the supervision of learners for a PhD must be in possession of a cognate PhD. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    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. University of KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.