Does this describe you right now?
Limited time, mounting stress, and competing commitments make completing your dissertation feel impossible. I am here to ensure your hard work translates into real results, with expert guidance that arrives exactly when it counts.
Shyam Kommal – The Dissertation Director
MEng (Project Management), BEng (Mechanical)
Thank you for visiting our website. Below you will find our testimonials, Shyam’s profile, ‘How does it work’ section and finally our packages with pricing. We also have links to ‘About’ us, ‘Pricing’ of our packages and ‘Contact’ us links on the top right of this page.
Note that you can book your FREE 15 minute call or online meeting via email or WhatsApp.
Testimonials
Shyam’s guidance was vital, providing the foundation necessary for a successful and smooth research journey. From our initial meeting, he provided an invaluable roadmap, offering clear direction on how to strategically begin the research, selecting the most appropriate research approach, and defining the scope and focus to ensure academic rigor.
– Silas Bizimungu
Mr. Kommal’s accessibility was truly unparalleled. Despite the geographical distance between us, he was always accessible, promptly responding to emails, encouraging Teams calls for clarification, and even making himself available by phone when needed.
– Naadia Essop
Shyam embodies the highest standard of mentorship. Any student fortunate enough to work under his supervision will benefit immensely from his technical expertise, professionalism, and dedicated support. I highly recommend him as a supervisor and academic guide.
– Jan Fourie
From the Boardroom to the Classroom: A Mentor's Journey
My career has been defined by a passion for building things that work—whether it’s a high-performance aircraft subsystem, a new business, or a successful master’s dissertation. For over 14 years, I’ve thrived in demanding environments as a mechanical engineer, project manager, and entrepreneur, learning that the key to success in any complex project is clear, strategic thinking and meticulous execution.
This hands-on experience forms the bedrock of my approach to academic supervision. I don’t just see a dissertation; I see a project lifecycle, requiring the same structured planning, risk management, and design thinking that I used as a Design Authority for Denel Dynamics and as a project leader in the South African Air Force.
For me, supervising a master’s student is about more than just grading papers. It’s about unlocking potential. I take a hands-on, mentorship-driven approach, leveraging my business and project management experience to help you turn your ideas into a compelling, research-backed thesis that makes a genuine contribution.
What you can expect from me as your supervisor:
A track record of success: Last year, one of my full-year student at University earned a Distinction—and this year, their dissertation is being published in a peer-reviewed journal, with me as a co-author. This student followed my guidance very well and their results speak for themselves.
A bridge between theory and practice: I guide you through the academic process while keeping your work grounded in real-world application and clear, logical analysis. I guide you to completing a dissertation that is firstly executable in your given time frame and academically sound.
A commitment to your excellence: Whether you’re aiming for a distinction or simply seeking to produce work you can be proud of, I will be your dedicated partner from the first draft to the final submission.
Let’s work together to turn your academic challenges into achievements that you, and the academic community, will value for years to come.
How it Works
Step 1: Choose your package or book an hour
Browse the packages below. Pick the one that matches where you are in your dissertation journey.
Not sure? Book a free 15‑minute call via email/WhatsApp – tell me about your current chapter, supervisor feedback, or deadline, and I’ll recommend the right package.
If you only have a small question, select the Ad‑Hoc Hourly option
Step 2: Send your document
Send me your document (Word .docx preferred) on email.
Include a brief note: What specific feedback do you need? (e.g., “Does my problem statement align with my research questions?” or “Is my methodology justified?”)
For hourly calls: send the relevant page, paragraph, or question at least 24 hours before our session.
Step 3: I review on my own time – not live
I read your work carefully, often doing short targeted research to strengthen my suggestions.
I edit directly in your Word document using tracked changes, margin comments, and summary notes.
My feedback focuses on: argument clarity, structure, methodology alignment, data interpretation, and academic tone – not grammar or proofreading (though I will highlight repeated issues).
Step 4: We meet to walk through my feedback
After I return your edited document by email, we schedule a 30‑minute video call(Zoom/Teams).
During the call: I explain the most important comments, answer your questions, and help you plan your next revision.
You leave with clear action items – no guessing what I meant.
Step 5: Revise, resubmit, repeat (for multi‑round packages)
For packages that include multiple rounds (e.g., Proposal Pro, Writing Wingman, Total Command): you revise based on my feedback, then send the updated document for another round.
Each round follows the same process: you send → I review offline → we meet.
You decide when you’re ready for the next round – no artificial deadlines.
Step 6: Final readiness check
For Proposal Pro and Total Command: I give a final “green light” or “needs attention” before you submit to your supervisor or ethics committee.
For Final Stretch and Total Command: I confirm that your report, article, and presentation meet the module’s requirements
Professional Packages
Package 1
Research Kickstarter
R900
Best for students who need quick clarity or a confidence boost
You have an idea, but you’re not sure where to start – or you feel stuck after a supervisor’s comment. This package gives you a focused, one‑off session to get moving again.
What’s included:
- A brief pre‑session message to understand your current challenge (e.g., research idea, problem statement, methodology test, or chapter outline)
- A 60–90 minute live video call (Zoom/Teams) where we map out your next steps
- After the call, you receive a short written summary with actionable recommendations
Ideal for:
- Refining a research idea before writing a proposal
- Preparing for the Research Methodology Test
- Understanding what goes into Chapter 1 or 2
- Overcoming writer’s block or supervisor feedback you don’t fully understand
Your time, respected: No live editing. I review your materials beforehand so our call is purely strategic.
Package 2
Proposal Pro
R4250
From research idea to an approved proposal
The proposal is the foundation of your entire dissertation. Get it right with guided, asynchronous support that mirrors how I work with my Stellenbosch students.
What’s included:
- Everything from the Research Kickstarter (strategy call + summary)
- 3 rounds of written feedback on your full research proposal document
- Each round: I review your Word document using tracked changes, margin comments, and suggestions – exactly as I do for my university tutoring
- After each round, we schedule a 30‑minute follow‑up call to discuss my feedback and your revisions
- A final “readiness check” before you submit to your supervisor or ethics committee
Deliverables aligned with your masters degree study guide: Research Proposal is often at least (10% of the dissertation module).
Package 3
R5250
Deep support through Chapters 1–5 and your data analysis
Once your proposal is approved, the real work begins. This package is for students actively writing chapters, collecting data, or analysing results.
What’s included:
- 4 rounds of in‑depth, asynchronous feedback on your dissertation chapters (Chapters 1 through 5)
- For each round: detailed tracked‑change edits, structural comments, and specific suggestions for improvement
- A 30‑minute video call after each round to clarify feedback and answer questions
- Dedicated review of your data analysis plan (quantitative or qualitative) and the write‑up of your findings
Typical use cases:
- Literature review (Chapter 2) organisation and argument flow
- Methodology chapter (Chapter 3) – justifying your design
- Results & discussion (Chapters 4–5) – turning data into a coherent narrative
Guidance when needed: Students often get bogged down in chapter 1/2 and the battle to time is lost. I will advise you how to save time by working on multiple chapters at once.
Package 4
R3500
Polish your report, article, and presentation for submission
You have a full draft – now make it shine. This package focuses on the endgame: the final report, the research article, and the recorded presentation.
What’s included:
- 2 rounds of high‑level review of your complete Research Assignment Report – focusing on argument consistency, flow, and alignment with your research questions
- 1 round of structural editing of your research article (7,000–10,000 words) – not copy‑editing, but ensuring it reads as a stand‑alone summary of your study
- 1 round of feedback on your recorded presentation script and slides (PowerPoint template) – including tips for a natural delivery, not reading a script
Directly supports: Final Report (50%), Article (20%), and Presentation (10%) – exactly the high‑weighting deliverables in most masters degrees.
Package 5
R11 740
Complete, year‑long mentorship from first idea to final submission
This is the package for students who want peace of mind. You get everything from Packages 1–4, plus ongoing priority support. I become your dedicated coach for the entire research year.
What’s included:
- All services from Kickstarter, Proposal Pro, Writing & Analysis Wingman, and Final Stretch Finish Line
- Unlimited email support (reasonable use – typically 2–3 emails per week, answered within 24–48 hours)
- Quarterly “big picture” calls (45 minutes) to review progress, manage timelines, and troubleshoot any issues with your supervisor or ethics clearance
- Priority scheduling – you skip the waitlist
- A final mock oral presentation session (30 minutes) before you record your symposium video
Ideal for: Students who want a single, predictable fee for the entire year and prefer regular, low‑friction contact with a coach who knows their work inside out.
.
Ad‑Hoc Hourly Support
R450 / hour
For small, one‑off tasks
Not ready for a package? You only need help with a single few pages, a statistical question, or a confidence check. This one is for you.
Typical uses:
- Review a few tables or figures for interpretation
- Help phrasing a few tricky paragraphs
- Clarifying a supervisor’s comment
- Rehearsing a presentation segment
How it works: Send me the specific questions or short document before the call. We meet for up to 60 minutes.
Add‑On: Presentation Prep (Standalone)
R900
Perfect for the masters Virtual Research Symposium
You’ve written the report – now you need to record a 20‑minute presentation that looks professional and natural. This add‑on can be bought alone or added to any package.
What’s included:
- Review of your presentation script (to avoid “reading”)
- Feedback on your slide design (using the prescribed template)
- A 30‑minute mock Q&A session where I play the role of an examiner
Result: You record with confidence, your face and voice are clear, and your presentation meets the module’s expectations.