Unisa opens new chapter with its newest PhD alumni

The graduation ceremony may mark the completion of a PhD, but for Unisa’s newest doctoral alumni, it is also the beginning of a new relationship with the University.

This was the message at the inaugural PhD Alumni Doctoral Lunch, hosted by Unisa’s Alumni Relations Office in collaboration with the College of Graduate Studies (CGS) at the Kgorong Cafeteria on Friday, 7 August 2026.

The pilot initiative brought together 31 recently graduated doctoral alumni from Gauteng who completed their qualifications during the 2025 and 2026 autumn graduation periods. The event provided an opportunity for Unisa to reconnect with a highly skilled group of graduates and explore ways in which their expertise and experience could continue contributing to the University.

Rather than viewing graduation as the conclusion of the alumni journey, the engagement positioned it as the start of a new phase built around collaboration, knowledge sharing, mentorship and giving back.

The Alumni Relations Office introduced the graduates to Unisa’s broader alumni community and outlined opportunities for them to remain involved in the University’s academic and institutional activities.

Professor Jessica Murray of the CGS highlighted opportunities for doctoral alumni to contribute to Unisa’s Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs), the University’s strategic research focus areas. She also spoke about supervisory training and the potential for suitably qualified alumni to contribute to postgraduate supervision.

The discussions also highlighted the potential for stronger scholarly links between Unisa academics and its doctoral alumni. With their research expertise and professional networks, PhD graduates can contribute to collaborative research projects, scholarly publications, postgraduate support and other knowledge-generating initiatives.

Student support was another important part of the programme. Mr Katishi Mphogo from the Division of Student Funding introduced the alumni to Unisa’s bursaries and scholarships and highlighted opportunities to support students financially.

The message resonated with attendees, with several alumni expressing an interest in contributing to student funding through donations.

Feedback after the event indicated strong support for the initiative, with alumni expressing interest in future opportunities involving research collaboration, mentorship, networking and other forms of engagement with the University.

The response points to the value of creating targeted opportunities for different segments of Unisa’s alumni community. For the Alumni Relations Office, the inaugural lunch provides a foundation for developing a more sustained relationship with doctoral graduates and creating meaningful avenues through which their knowledge, experience and networks can continue to benefit the University.

For Unisa’s newest PhD alumni, the message was clear: the doctorate may have been completed, but the relationship with their alma mater is only entering its next chapter.

* By Cilla Boucher, Alumni Relations Specialist, Unisa Alumni Relations.