The University of Pretoria’s Dr Celesté Pretorius has been honoured with the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA) Award for Best Oral Presentation at the SORSA-IAFR 2025 Congress, held from 5–7 September 2025 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.

Dr Pretorius presented her innovative research titled “Empowering Autonomy in Postgraduate Supervision: A Reflective Study on the Development of an Interactive Study Guide.” The presentation explored how a digital and interactive guide can transform postgraduate supervision by promoting learner autonomy, enhancing communication, and fostering reflective learning.

The tool, described as both practical and empowering, includes stepwise templates, rubrics, and reflection frameworks. It also features a one-page “Road to Graduation” resource with QR codes that link students and supervisors directly to essential institutional documents and support systems.

“Postgraduate supervision is a complex journey that requires structure, reflection, and dialogue,” said Dr Pretorius. “The interactive guide was designed to bridge that gap - making expectations clearer, encouraging accountability, and providing both students and supervisors with tools to co-create success.”

She added that the project stemmed from a need to make postgraduate learning more transparent and student-centred.

“Too often, students feel uncertain about the path ahead, and supervisors may find it challenging to balance guidance with autonomy,” Dr Pretorius explained. “This guide offers a structured yet flexible framework that empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey.”

In receiving the award, Dr Pretorius expressed gratitude to her colleagues and the academic community for supporting her work.

“It’s deeply rewarding to see this project recognised by my peers,” she said. “More importantly, I hope it inspires others to think differently about how we support postgraduate students - not only in radiography, but across disciplines.”

The SORSA-IAFR Congress, jointly hosted by the Society of Radiographers of South Africa and the International Association of Forensic Radiographers, brought together leading professionals and academics from around the world to share advances in radiographic science, education, and clinical innovation.

Dr Pretorius’s award recognises her contribution to improving postgraduate education and fostering collaboration between students and supervisors - a topic that continues to gain attention in South African higher education.