Supervision as transformative leadership in the context of university goals

Abstract

This article discusses different models of supervision and promotion of Masters', Doctoral and PhD students. It argues that leadership is inherent in and underpins any model of supervision or promotion of students. The article advances a view that supervision and promotion of the said students should be transformative leadership. This approach to supervision or promotion of students suggests enabling them to develop as researchers and contributors to university goals of teaching, research and community service. The involvement of students in these goals is seen as additional and related to their primary task of pursuing their degrees. Furthermore, the article posits that supervision as transformative leadership requires a vision from supervisors and promoters, which upholds students' ongoing growth as researchers and contributors to university goals which have been mentioned. The article concludes by making a few recommendations regarding how university staff can be supported in the practice of supervision as transformative leadership.


South African Journal of Higher Education Vol.15(3) 2001: 53-57