Welcoming the Second Cohort of PhD Candidates in Applied Linguistics

Marking a milestone in advancing Linguistics research tailored to Namibian and African contexts, NUST officially welcomed its second cohort of PhD students in Applied Linguistics. 

The Head of the Department of Communication and Applied Linguistics, Prof Niklaas Frederikcs, welcomed 19 new candidates during the opening of a five-day research seminar. "This cohort represents the future of innovative linguistic scholarship, addressing critical issues in language policy, forensic linguistics, and English for Specific Purposes," Prof Fredericks explained while underscoring the programme's role in building Namibia's academic capacity. 

The research seminar, which ran from 23 to 27 March, kicked off with expert presentations on core research methodology topics. These included conceptualising the problem statement, research ethics, conducting a robust literature review, and navigating AI tools alongside ethical considerations in scholarship. 

Each candidate had to give a 30-minute presentation on their proposed problem statement, research objectives, and conceptual framework. “This hands-on session fostered early feedback and collaboration, setting a strong foundation for their doctoral journeys” said Prof Haileleul Zeleke Woldemariam, who is the Coordinator for the PhD in Applied Linguistics programme. 

The event will continue with sessions on various research topics, culminating in guidance from the NUST research librarian on efficient resource collection and academic database navigation. 

This initiative builds on the success of the first cohort, reinforcing NUST's commitment to postgraduate excellence in Applied Linguistics amid growing demands for language expertise in education, policy, and forensics.