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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96928  Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal 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 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  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 qualification is undertaken by learners who complete a thesis on a topic of their choice, which has been approved by the institution. The thesis must make a distinct contribution to knowledge in mechanical engineering. Its contents may report the results of an original investigation or review, or criticise some aspect of mechanical engineering knowledge, or present a mechanical engineering design or solution involving the application of new or known techniques to a mechanical engineering problem of significance. The research path to a doctorate remains the most common in way of obtaining a Doctorate in South Africa. A research doctorate involves the thesis being produced under the supervision of a professor or promotor. This qualification offers a great deal of flexibility, but demands a high degree of personal initiative and responsibility. The qualifying learner will have the ability to:
1) Collect and organise information in the selected field/area of research;
2) Apply research methods and techniques appropriately and correctly;
And
3) Make a significant contribution by recommending improvements to existing Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology.

Rationale:
Doctoral qualification is vital for future economic development in South Africa as emphasised by the skills shortage experienced in the country. The technological integration of our modern society and economy continues to rapidly accelerate, permeating all areas, and reinforcing the importance of STEM-based education and applied innovation at all institutions.

The qualification provides a more vocationally oriented Doctorate in Engineering than the traditional Doctor of Philosophy and is better suited to the needs of industry. Learners develop a range of skills, including independent thinking, project management, data analysis and critical thinking, as well as refined communication skills. Learners also learn how to develop hypotheses and design experiments to test them, and to analyse, write about and publish scientific data. This a qualification for practising researchers who aim to lead and innovate the development of products, processes and services in industry; research engineers develop academic strengths and leadership skills, both technical and managerial. Learners from this qualification by research are well-equipped for careers in commercial engineering in their specialisms and most enjoy engineering-related careers ranging from consulting to research and development, both nationally and internationally. Others enter the spectrum of professions which value a high ability in mathematical modelling, systems analysis and design. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A panel of experts review the learner's portfolio of evidence of prior learning and the outcome is communicated to the Registrar indicating whether or not the learner will be allowed to register for the qualification. If the outcome is negative the learner may appeal against the outcome. The final decision rests with the Senate of the institution.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Master of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Full Dissertation, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Make an original contribution to knowledge in a specialised field of Mechanical Engineering study. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The listed and cited records of the literature survey and the exposition of the research reflects familiarity with relevant and recent trends in technologies, techniques, models and theories in the chosen field.
  • Models, principles, theories, techniques and methodologies in the chosen field are analysed, explained, and juxtaposed correctly in oral presentations and the written record of research.
  • Information sources are used correctly and appropriately and includes a range of media.
  • Information technology skills are applied effectively in information searches, data-analyses, data presentation, and the production of the dissertation.
  • The appropriate mathematical and statistical methods are applied correctly to quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Information technology skills are applied effectively in information searches, data-analyses, data presentation, and the production of the dissertation.
  • The appropriate mathematical and statistical methods are applied correctly to quantitative and qualitative data.
  • The inferences, interpretations and conclusions from measurements and statistical analyses are both original and valid.
  • Language and numeracy skills are applied effectively and correctly in communicating the research problem, its investigation, outcome and recommendations, clearly.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification fosters the development of independent research skills, making it ideal preparation for those looking to undertake further research and pursue a career in research. There is a formal formative assessment of progress throughout the study for both full-time and part-time candidates, in accordance with institution's rules. The final integrated assessment of the dissertation is done by a panel of at least two external assessors of which one is international. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Monash Australia - PhD of Engineering (Course code 3291). Similar in the fact that the qualification is also a purely research qualification.
  • Queensland University of Technology - PhD of Engineering (Research) offers learners the opportunity to undertake supervised research in the related discipline of their choice. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering in Chemical Engineering, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Vaal 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.