Financial Agreement number

1.Theme 1: "Third level of Education (PhD)"

Invited speakers

• 
  Aris Avdelas (U. Thessaloniki - TREE)
  
• 
  Chris Baker (U. Birmingham and Director of Rail Research UK)
  
  

Topics discussed

Concept: To give evidence of intellectual capability through research leading to original ideas/ results which are internationally recognised (for instance, in a refereed international journal).

Models:

1. 
   Only individual tutoring
   
2. 
   Taught courses (in agreement with students) + research work.
   

Duration: between 3 and 4 full-time years, as more is not convenient for industry. Moreover, grants have a limited duration (for instance, 3 years in France or Italy).

Industry as a producer and employer of PhD’s. Industry requires high level flexible staff, having high level computational, communication and presentation skills.
Open questions

Who shall deliver PhD?

PhD students – students or researchers?

The role of introductory courses?

To which extent should Universities follow industry requirements?

When learning outcomes are achieved?

PhD thesis – should it be compulsory?

Recommendations

Research – not regime-driven, but research culture

To promote European model of PhD

Dublin Descriptors – good starting point, but not sufficient; develop subject-specific guidelines

Flexibility concerning courses (a supervised learning agreement between student and advisor is suggested)

To include external reviewers in the assessment council (at least 2)