The advancement of. European biomedical and health science PhD education. by cooperative networking

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1 The advancement of European biomedical and health science PhD education by cooperative networking Michael J. Mulvany, Hannes Stockinger, Zdravko Lackovic on behalf of ORPHEUS Michael Mulvany Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark

2 ORPHEUS conferences 2004, Zagreb PhD thesis 2005, Zagreb PhD programmes 2007, Helsinki Clinical PhDs 2009, Aarhus Position paper: Towards standards 2010, Vienna Co-operative networking 2011, Izmir Quality indicators 2012, Bergen

3 ORganisation for PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the EUropean System (ORPHEUS) Fifth annual ORPHEUS conference The advancement of European Biomedical and Health Science PhD Education by Co-operative Networking Vienna, 8-10 April institutions from 39 countries Consensus document:

4 Background Internationalization integral to science and education Mobility is core element of the Bologna Process. Higher education institutions should support enhanced mobility at doctoral level as part of their broader international strategy. Critical mass need for networking Salzburg II, recommendation ix. Increasing mobility: Doctoral programmes should seek to offer geographical as well as interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility and international collaboration within an integrated framework of cooperation between universities and other partners.

5 Main ORPHEUS recommendations from Vienna 1. Meaningful collaboration and networking is easier among institutions with comparable standards. 2. International PhD programmes are a means to increasing international collaboration and excellence 3. Neither financial nor administrative restrictions should prevent the most talented European young scientists from entering an appropriate European PhD programme 4. All institutions should stimulate their PhD students to spend some time in foreign institutions 5. Avoid one-way brain drain and encourage brain circulation 6. Partnership between academia and industry should be consistent with general academic standards

6 1. Meaningful collaboration and networking is easier among institutions with comparable standards ORPHEUS position paper status points of consensus recommendations 2500 words Admission criteria Requirements of the PhD programme Supervision Thesis Evaluation of thesis extensive consultation

7 2. International PhD programmes are a means to increasing international collaboration and excellence. Critical mass Types of programmes: collaborative PhD programmes joint PhD programmes dual degree programmes Achievements of the student at the host institution and the contribution of the host institution should be acknowledged

8 Collaborative PhD study institution A institution B enrolement project courses thesis certificate + credit for institution B

9 Joint PhD studies institution A institution B joint organization enrolement project courses thesis certificate

10 Double (dual) PhD studies institution A institution B enrolement enrolement project courses thesis certificate certificate

11 Call for proposals EACEA/41/10 for the implementation of Erasmus Mundus Action 1B Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorates (EMJDs) Deadline 29 April 2011 Joint degree or double degree?

12 3. Neither financial nor administrative restrictions should prevent the most talented European young scientists from entering an appropriate European PhD programme Transparency in annoucements Real possibilities for external candidates Selection on basis of potential and motivation Special funding

13 4. Internationalization All institutions should allow and stimulate their PhD students to spend some time in foreign institutions courses collaborative research projects special funds

14 5. Avoid one-way brain drain Encourage brain circulation (in particular for less developed countries)

15 5. Avoid one-way brain drain Encourage brain circulation (in particular for less developed countries) Facilitate the return of young researchers to their home countries The research environment in the home institute should meet the needs of the returning PhD Students who decide to stay abroad should be involved in enhancing international collaboration.

16 6. PhD studies based on partnership between academia and industry should be consistent with general academic standards. peer review of projects simple blueprint contracts should be drafted as a basis for good working practices between academia and industry. funding definition of the objectives of the partners patents and publications, confidentiality supervision/mentoring duties/rights, conflict handling industrial PhD has same value as PhD from academia

17 Main ORPHEUS recommendations from Vienna 1. Meaningful collaboration and networking is easier among institutions with comparable standards. 2. International PhD programmes are a means to increasing international collaboration and excellence (collaborative, joint and double) 3. Neither financial nor administrative restrictions should prevent the most talented European young scientists from entering an appropriate European PhD programme 4. All institutions should stimulate their PhD students to spend some time in foreign institutions 5. Avoid one-way brain drain and encourage brain circulation 6. Partnership between academia and industry should be consistent with general academic standards

18 In summary We need international cooperation and networking between universities other scientific institutions industry because we need politically to increase competitiveness of PhD education in Europe to support European scientific integration and scientifically to enhance the quality of PhD education and research to obtain critical mass ORPHEUS concept: The collaboration should be bottom-up, but supported top-down!

19 Some questions 1. Should we aim to set up standards for each PhD area? 2. Do double degrees qualify as joint degrees for Erasmus Mundus? 3. Should special funds be available for international applicants or should admission be on basis of quality? 4. How do we insist on our PhD students spending time in a foreign institution? 5. How should we facilitate return of PhD students to their home country? 6. How do we ensure academic integrity of industrial PhD projects?

Zdravko Lacković, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, ORPHEUS President

Zdravko Lacković, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, ORPHEUS President ORPHEUS ORganisation for PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the EUropean System Fifth ORPHEUS 2010 Conference The Advancement of European Biomedical and Health Science PhD Education by