Dear CUT Community

I am deeply honoured to be among eight scholars selected from over 300 institutions worldwide to attend the prestigious DREAM Conference 2025 in the United States. This opportunity is both a privilege and a responsibility I fully embrace. I return to the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) with a renewed commitment to pay it forward, ensuring more students gain access to the transformative experiences I have been fortunate to receive.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr Karen Stout and the Achieving the Dream (ATD) leadership, The Kresge Foundation, Saide, Siyaphumelela, and CUT for making this journey possible. Your investment in student success is not only commendable but life-changing, and I am eager to contribute meaningfully to this mission.

The Conference Experience and Key Takeaways

Leading up to and during my time at the DREAM Conference, I had the privilege of being mentored by Dr Kholofelo Nunes, whose guidance was invaluable throughout this journey. I also extend my gratitude to Prof. Ntsoaki Malebo, Ashton Maherry, and Dr Kudayja Parker, who played instrumental roles in facilitating and supporting this experience. Their leadership ensured that my participation in the conference was both seamless and enriching.

The conference itself was a deeply insightful and productive experience. I had the opportunity to connect with fellow DREAM Scholars from the United States, (Destinee Britto, Diego Perez Lopez, Heidi Counelis, Isaac Njoroge, Rashiadah Weaver, Sonny Alaniz and Warren Miller) and we engaged in meaningful discussions on student success and institutional transformation. As the second DREAM Scholar from South Africa, I had the unique opportunity to work alongside, network with, and advocate for not only CUT but also South Africa and Africa as a whole.

What stood out to me was how, despite our geographical and institutional differences, we share more commonalities than differences in our pursuit of academic equity and excellence. Research has shown that institutions that prioritize student-centred policies and equity-driven interventions report higher retention and graduation rates (Tinto, 2012). The conference reaffirmed that our shared humanity and collective passion for driving change in our colleges and universities is a universal goal that transcends borders.

The Revised Approach to Creating Change: Factoring in Postgraduate Challenges

One of the key takeaways from this conference was the opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by postgraduate students at CUT and the importance of addressing them. While much effort is dedicated to supporting first-year students, postgraduate students are often left to navigate critical barriers such as funding gaps, lack of accommodation, and limited access to essential research tools. Research suggests that providing comprehensive postgraduate support structures, such as mentorship and financial aid programs, significantly increases completion rates and research productivity (Council of Graduate Schools, 2019).

Moving forward, I commit to working closely with the institution to ensure these challenges are met with determination and strategic action. While I acknowledge that significant change may not happen overnight, I am committed to seeing these initiatives through to meaningful resolution.

The Sustainable Postgraduate Funding Model

Many postgraduate students at CUT struggle with securing financial assistance after their undergraduate studies, as NSFAS does not cover postgraduate programs. To address this, I implore the institution to work collaboratively with faculty leadership, research offices, external stakeholders, and postgraduate students to explore sustainable funding opportunities. By fostering engagement among these key stakeholders, we can collectively workshop practical and impactful solutions. Additionally, by incorporating student voices and leveraging academic, cultural, entrepreneurial and sports achievements, we can create a more supportive environment that ensures postgraduate students have access to the financial resources needed to excel. Possible avenues to explore include:

• Internal bursary expansions to support financially strained postgraduate students.
• Stronger corporate and private sponsorship collaborations for funding research and living expenses.
• Streamlined access to National Research Foundation (NRF) funding, with targeted guidance on application processes.

Addressing Postgraduate Accommodation Challenge

Postgraduate students at CUT often find themselves excluded from university housing and forced to seek costly off-campus alternatives. Research by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET, 2020) highlights that access to affordable student housing is a key determinant of academic performance. It may be beneficial to explore:

• A formal needs assessment to understand and address accommodation challenges effectively.
• A reserved allocation of residence spaces for postgraduate students.
• Partnerships with private landlords to create affordable and student-friendly housing options.

Providing Devices and Research Tools

Without adequate access to laptops, research software, and high-speed internet, many postgraduate students struggle with their research. To bridge this gap, I will engage in efforts to support:

• A postgraduate technology fund that enables students to access essential tools.
• A device lending program to ensure that no student is hindered by a lack of resources.
• Institutional support for acquiring research software licenses (SPSS, MATLAB, ArcGIS, etc.).

Strengthening the Academic and Professional Support

To better support postgraduate students in academic writing, research development, and career preparation, CUT can strengthen its existing support structures. According to the National Science Foundation (2022), postgraduate students who receive structured mentorship and career development support are more likely to secure employment within their fields. In alignment with CUT’s graduate attributes of problem-solving and innovation, along with collaboration with faculty, student representatives, and relevant departments, we can explore initiatives such as:

• Expanding Writing Centre services to specifically cater to postgraduate research and publication needs.
• Developing a structured postgraduate mentorship program, pairing students with faculty or alumni in their fields.
• Establishing networking opportunities with industry professionals to create pathways for postgraduate career progression.

Future Focus: Institutional Training for SI Leaders and Peer Mentors

In addition to postgraduate advocacy, I aim to work on Training the Trainer initiatives within Supplemental Instruction (SI) and Peer Mentorship. Siyaphumelela emphasizes data-driven and evidence-based approaches, ensuring that training initiatives are structured, impactful, and informed by student success analytics. Rather than reinventing the wheel, I will collaborate with these existing programmes and cohorts to enhance and continuously develop the best possible training models.

To support this endeavour, I will dedicate my efforts to:

1. Contributing to the existing SI training workshops by incorporating insights and lessons learned during my tenure.
2. Strengthening Peer Mentorship models by identifying best practices.
3. Creating a feedback loop with student leaders, ensuring continuous refinement of training approaches based on their on-the-ground experiences.

My Commitment to CUT’s Future

Attending the DREAM Conference has reaffirmed my commitment to student success and institutional growth at CUT. This experience has deepened my understanding of equitable education, leadership, and student-centred strategies. I am dedicated to using this knowledge to implement tangible changes, ensuring that both undergraduate and postgraduate students receive the support they need to thrive.

As the saying goes, “The branch that bears the most fruit bows the lowest.” This journey has reinforced the importance of humility in leadership and service. True success lies in using the knowledge gained to uplift others, ensuring that the benefits of this opportunity extend beyond myself.

Once again, my deepest gratitude to Dr Karen Stout, the ATD leadership, The Kresge Foundation, Saide, Siyaphumelela, and CUT for making this experience possible. By integrating Siyaphumelela’s data-driven methodologies, I am eager to gift this opportunity forward and contribute meaningfully to the continued success of our students.

A Call to Action

I implore CUT leadership, faculty, and student organisations to join me in taking proactive steps toward implementing these initiatives. By working together, we can ensure that both undergraduate and postgraduate students receive the necessary support to excel. I invite stakeholders across the institution to collaborate, innovate, and drive meaningful change that will make CUT a leader in student success. Let us commit to strengthening our support structures, expanding funding opportunities, and fostering a more inclusive academic environment.

Bradley Gawie
SA 2025 DREAM Scholar