Heitz-Tokpa, Kathrin

Postgraduate Supervision Practices in low regulated University System in Cote d'Ivoire

By Kondo, Akuele Radha

Postgraduate supervision is paramount to empower the next generation of researchers. However, time spent to graduation and knowledge gain are of great concern regarding the completion of postgraduate studies. In most African universities, the main cause is the lack of guidelines to frame studentsupervisors' relationship and their responsibilities. Study aims to analyse how supervision practices in health research in Cote d'Ivoire hinder or promote timely degree completion. Drawing on a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 postgraduate students and 17 supervisors. We purposively selected informants in health research based at public universities in Cote d'Ivoire. Results revealed two models with different supervisors' styles, poorly standardised guidelines, and student's coping strategies in the context of low regulation. We conclude that the absence of formal documents and clear regulations for student's/supervisor's roles, as well as the lack of monitoring system by the administration are factors that delay postgraduate study completion.