Scholarly Environment

Rhodes possesses an admirable research environment and culture that provides the space for intellectual development, debate and the flourishing of ideas. Accordingly, we strive to stimulate and facilitate imaginative and rigorous research of all kinds (fundamental, applied, policy-oriented, etc.), and in all disciplines and fields.

This is evidenced by the large number and diversity of conferences, seminars and public lectures that are held annually, the important contributions that a number of academics make to national public debate, enhancing the visibility of Rhodes in the intellectual life of South Africa, and the quality of local and international academics that visit Rhodes.

Ongoing research takes place across the 6 Faculties of Commerce, Education, Humanities, Law, Pharmacy, and Science, Research Institutes, Affiliates and related groups.

Although we are the smallest university in South Africa (only 6 700 students in 2009), the student profile and research outputs (publications, Masters and Doctoral graduates) of Rhodes ensure that we occupy a distinctive place in the overall South African higher education landscape.

For one, almost 25% of Rhodes’ students are postgraduates. The fact that they hail from a large number of countries helps to ensure that Rhodes is a cosmopolitan and fertile environment of thinking and ideas. For another, Rhodes has among the best research outputs of South African universities, a testimony to the dedication and passion of its academics, postdoctoral scholars and senior postgraduates for research, and the University’s commitment to nurturing and cultivating knowledge production of all kinds.

Last Modified :Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:38:00 SAST