The Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) has once again proven itself to be one of the most research-intensive among SU’s ten faculties. This achievement underscores the Faculty’s dedication to research excellence, innovation, and advancing engineering knowledge.
Over the past decade, the Faculty has seen a steady increase in the number of doctoral graduates (see the graph). In 2023, a total of 60 PhDs were conferred, equaling its 2019 record. The current total for 2024 stands at 68, including all PhD graduates from the December 2024 and the March 2025 graduation ceremonies. This is not only the largest number of PhD graduates from a single faculty to date at Stellenbosch but it is also the fourth academic year in a row that the Faculty of Engineering graduated the most doctoral candidates of all ten faculties.
Each of the Faculty’s five academic departments – Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering – along with the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, has contributed significantly to this milestone. The continuous growth in doctoral graduates is testament to the Faculty’s strong research ethos, the dedication of our academic staff, and the high calibre of postgraduate students we attract to study at Stellenbosch.
This sustained leadership in doctoral graduates underscores the Faculty’s role in advancing engineering research and innovation, both in South Africa and globally. As the Faculty continues to expand its research footprint, its impact on industry, academia, and society will further strengthen, reinforcing the Faculty’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge engineering research.
Doctoral Graduates in the Faculty of Engineering
