Postgraduate Student Supervision in Open and Distance Learning

Abstract

Postgraduate supervision is closely linked to effective supervisor-student relationships, which is essential for sustained student motivation and academic success. The supervisor's approach, heavily influenced by personality, significantly shapes these relationships. The absence of a strong connection may result in weakened student commitment, confirming the sentiment: How can the two walk together unless they agree? Against this backdrop, the authors embarked on a literature study, augmented by personal reflections, to advocate for a Botho Supervision framework. The authors think that sound working relationships are even more needed in an open and distance learning (ODL) environment due to the challenges that the geographical, emotional, psychological, etc. Also, they strongly think that in an African university, academic engagements must be guarded by Botho. They further think that the application of Botho on supervision work has a transformation intent where the supervisor can engage in personal reflection and change their approach to supervision.