Abstract: One of the staff development initiatives in South African universities involves the acquisition of PhDs by academic staff. There is a realization that as the highest qualification in the academia, the PhD empowers and prepares an individual for an academic career. Within South Africa’s transformation towards a knowledge-based economy/society, the PhD is an important and essential tool. With specific reference to the University of KwaZulu-Natal (one of the Research-Intensive Universities in South Africa), the study discusses support mechanisms, incentives and progress monitors that are in place for academic staff who are pursuing PhDs.