One of the many unique graduation ceremonies at Stellenbosch University (SU) this year will be that of Nikki Boyd, the first student to graduate with an MPhil degree in mindfulness research from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science (FMHS). 

Boyd, a registered counsellor who is trained in mindfulness interventions, is the first student to complete this degree programme at SU, while two other students are currently in the process of preparing their research protocols.

The MPhil in mindfulness research is the first of its kind on the continent and in many ways a pioneering programme in both South Africa and Africa. While teaching and research in mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have largely been conducted in America and Europe, there is a limited body of research in this area in developing countries – which is where the FMHS programme hopes to break new ground.

Developing a research base

“Despite the increasing volume of mindfulness research internationally, there is a paucity of research in the field of MBIs in the African context," says Dr Debbie Alexander (PhD), convenor of the MPhil mindfulness degree programme. “The rationale for the programme is to develop a South African (and African) context-sensitive research base for the application and implementation of mindfulness approaches in diverse aspects of South African society." 

The MPhil in mindfulness research, which is offered by the Department of Psychiatry in collaboration with the Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, extends over one year on a full-time basis or two years on a part-time basis. Its purpose is to provide guidance to researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of MBIs at an advanced level.

“The MPhil complements the certificate programme at SU, which is a two-year training programme for health professionals to offer MBIs in a context-sensitive way," explains Dr Simon Whitesman (MBChB), Director of the Institute for Mindfulness South Africa and of the certificate programme in MBIs.

On a broader societal level, Alexander says the MPhil programme aims to develop research excellence in the field of MBIs to benefit patients, the community and the country – thus impacting society.  

Preserving integrity

“Mindfulness is an inherent human capacity that can be cultivated intentionally through attending to personal phenomena and moving through the present moment with an attitude of kindness, curiosity and non-judgement," Alexander explains. 

As a result of its evidence-based effectiveness, mindfulness has received increasing attention as a clinical approach during the past decade. However, Alexander warns that the growing popularisation of MBIs and the mainstreaming of mindfulness may lead to a slow dilution in the integrity of the approach. “In this context, the effective and ethical training of teachers to deliver MBIs in diverse contexts is an important development in the pedagogy of mindfulness."  

Looking ahead to the future trajectory of this degree, Alexander says she hopes that student numbers will increase so that the programme can achieve what it set out to do: to develop a context-sensitive research base for South Africa and Africa to aid health professionals to more wisely apply and implement mindfulness approaches in a diverse South African society and on the continent. 

For more information about the MPhil in mindfulness research, visit the FMHS website.  

For more information about SU's graduation ceremonies this year, click here.​