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UKCGE International annual conference 2014. Growing quality in uncertain times Prof Nicky Solomon, Dean, Graduate Research School University of Technology, Sydney. Graduate research school AIMs to….
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UKCGE International annual conference 2014 • Growing quality in uncertain times • Prof Nicky Solomon, • Dean, Graduate Research School • University of Technology, Sydney
Graduate research schoolAIMs to…. • .. produce the next generation of researchers and graduates who can lead their professions and industriesin the context of: • Numerous government regulations, e.g. AQF, TEQSA, HESF, UN & Autonomous Sanctions • Several national guidelines and principles • UTS research strategy • UTS academic standards • UTS academic risk register uts.edu.au
Key changes/challenges • Heightened expectations of doctoral graduates (by both the university and doctoral students) • Changing HDR student population (age, backgrounds, aspirations/ destinations etc) • Significant government budget changes • Increased global and local competitive market • Internationalisation of research and research degrees uts.edu.au
Graduate research school uts.edu.au
Growth And capacity: Objectives • Attract high quality students that align with UTS strengths • Provide flexible doctoral programs and scholarship schemes that align with UTS strengths • Formalise international collaborations (including joint doctorates) and international scholarship schemes that will: • - contribute to UTS research profile and performance • - deliver additional income & mobility opportunities for staff & students • Expand industry doctorates • Increase number of timely completions and publications to drive research income uts.edu.au
Some growth figures • International as a % of load • 20% in 2009, 26.4%in 2010, 30.3% in 2011, 33.5% in 2012,36.6% in 2013 • 35.03% in 2014(Spring 2014 not included) • Completions • 20% increase since 2010 • HDR contribution to publications • 50% increase since 2010 uts.edu.au
Researcher development: objectives • Achieve a key purpose of the UTS framework for doctoral education, ie., doctoral studies at UTS advance knowledge anddevelop the researcher • Improve HDR supervision capacity and skills • Develop a research culture and a sense of community that provides HDRs and researchers with opportunities to increase their productivity and to align their research with UTS priorities • Expand research literacy provision to ensure enhanced language and literacy skills of HDRs and researchers and the consequent impact on UTSresearch performance and reputation • Build on industry collaborations to assist in the development of industry-ready research graduates uts.edu.au
HDR Student Development Program 2014 • Induction program - or stage I students • Development program for Stage 2 & 3 students • Research literacies and writing workshops • Statistics training • Information sessions • Social activities (Research cafe and social networking dinner) • Inspire program (HDR development week with doctoral students from 5 Sydney universities) • Three minute thesis competition • International HDR ‘kickstart’ induction program uts.edu.au
Supervisor development programs • GRS Supervisor development program for new and experienced supervisors, with central modules accompanied by mentoring and faculty supervisor development programs • Mentoring program for HDRs –ECRs mentor HDRs uts.edu.au
Research quality: objectives • Provide seamless service, administration and management of researchers’ candidature and scholarship needs, particularly admissions and examinations • Facilitate connections across portfolios, units and faculties as well as a sense of belonging to a research community to enrich the student experience • Lead policy development and support implementation to ensure compliance and ethical standards are met uts.edu.au
Graduate research school board 2013-14 • Admissions policy and procedures • Revised supervisor protocol (for approval) with initial and ongoing registration linked to participation in workshops and mentoring program • Research student support and research environment • Thesis examination and submission • Guidelines for including publications in the thesis • Revised code of practice Rules and procedures for overtime candidatures • Review of collaborative research degree framework • Pathways to higher degrees by research report • Online doctoral study plan uts.edu.au
Pressure points • Supervisors engagement with ‘the new world’ • Investment needed • Management of risks related to government legislation and compliance frameworks • Working collaboratively in the competitive environment uts.edu.au