UCT upgrades Dr Thapelo Teele’s master's thesis to doctorate

[@davidblyth5495]

It seems there's a lack of understanding of what a PhD and Master's degrees are. A Master's degree is an endorsement that one is capable of independent research. An institution may confer a PhD to a candidate who has produced new knowledge. The difference between a M and PhD is not the quality but satisfying different requirements! One of my engineers was summonsed to appear before a board of professors from the University of Pretoria, Wits and Johannesburg to be informed that his Masters in Engineering thesis would establish knowledge that didn't exist yet and that he had to rewrite his thesis for a doctorate. He was successful. When this happened, I congratulated the engineer but included two comments: a. He was lucky to have chosen a subject which lacked knowledge in the area he had contributed, and b. It was his high level of diligence, insight and character which had prepared him for the opportunity to contribute. Often people surprise themselves when they underestimate their own efforts. It's gratifying to see another example of this.

[@WNdaba]

Siyabonga David 👌👌

[@davidblyth5495]

@@WNdaba hamba kahle

[@christinevandermerwe-gl2sm]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! WOW that is awesome!!!!

[@WNdaba]

Congratulations Thapelo 🎉🎉🎉🎉You deserve it.

[@cheznone9296]

How unfortunate that you left the most interesting part of this interview to the end and cut the reply short. I am so very proud of DR Thapelo, well done.

[@limakatsophoofolo7352]

Congratulations Thapelo .

[@Kush-Kemet]

Well Done Dr Thapelo✊🏿