A record number of 43 Doctoral awards were conferred last week at South East Technological University (SETU), marking a significant milestone in the University’s development as a leading research-intensive institution.
This is the highest number of PhD awards ever conferred since the University’s establishment, and it stands as a proud testament to the dedication of SETU’s researchers and supervisors across its campuses. A further eight graduates were conferred with Masters by Research awards, demonstrating the vitality and breadth of SETU’s postgraduate research community.
Celebrating excellence across disciplines
Graduands from across SETU’s campuses received their awards in ceremonies held throughout the week. These Doctoral awards represent innovative research achievement across a range of disciplines, including engineering, science and computing, arts and humanities, health, business, and education.
Each award not only celebrates individual excellence but also highlights the collective strength and ambition of SETU’s growing research community.
Our doctoral graduates represent the very best of SETU’s research culture – collaborative, applied, and globally engaged.”
Professor Marie Claire Van Hout SETU Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact
A reflection of SETU’s strategic research growth
Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact at SETU, said the record number of doctoral awards reflected the University’s strategic commitment to research excellence and regional impact.
"Our doctoral graduates represent the very best of SETU’s research culture – collaborative, applied, and globally engaged. Each PhD award recognised years of dedication, creativity, and intellectual rigour. This milestone also reflected SETU’s growing capacity to deliver research that drives innovation and benefits society, both regionally and internationally,” said Professor Van Hout.
Supporting talent, discovery, and innovation
Dr Brian Jackson, Head of Graduate Studies at SETU, said the increase in research graduates was a tribute to the University’s supportive research culture and an environment that fosters talent, discovery, and innovation.
"At SETU, we are extremely proud of our research students and the supervisory teams who support and guide them. Our graduates are producing work of exceptional quality across a broad range of disciplines, and their contributions are making academic, industrial, and societal impact. Their achievement also reflects SETU’s focus on providing an outstanding research training environment that prepares graduates for leadership roles in their future careers."
Our graduates are producing work of exceptional quality across a broad range of disciplines.”
Dr Brian Jackson SETU Head of Graduate Studies
Building on success
SETU continues to strengthen its research ecosystem, expanding opportunities for postgraduate researchers through dedicated training, industry collaboration, and international partnerships. Growing the doctoral community remains central to SETU’s mission to connect research to real-world impact.
The University looks forward to building on this success in the years ahead, as its researchers continue to make discoveries that shape knowledge, transform industries, and enrich lives across the south east and beyond.