Faculty of Graduate Studies Program Proposal Jointly-Supervised Individual PhD Programs 1. Identification of New Program: 1.1. Name: Jointly-Supervised Individual PhD Programs 1.2. Location: University of Victoria, Faculty of Graduate Studies in collaboration with Graduate Studies Faculties at accredited universities around the world 1.3. Academic Unit: Faculty of Graduate Studies 1.4. Anticipated Program Start Date: September 2010 1.5. Name, Title, Phone Number and e-mail Address of Contact Persons: Dr. Aaron Devor, Dean Faculty of Graduate Studies University of Victoria 250-721-7970 graddean@uvic.ca Angela Martin Assistant Dean Faculty of Graduate Studies University of Victoria 250-472-4939 fgsadean@uvic.ca Angela Katahan Director, Graduate Admissions and Records University of Victoria 250-721-7975 graddir@uvic.ca 2. History and Context of the Program: The University of Victoria Faculty of Graduate Studies wishes to offer jointly-supervised individual PhD programs. 1 In essence, students would be admitted to both of the partner institutions, and receive one PhD degree, jointly awarded and recognized by each institution. This may include awarding the student with one or multiple parchments but in either case, it is stated on the parchment(s) that a single degree is jointly awarded for one body of work. The supervisory committee is made up of academic staff from each of the institutions. 1 When the program includes a French-speaking university it is referred to as Co-tutelle which translates from French to English as cosupervision. 1
The University of Victoria currently offers three double degrees programs involving graduate degrees (LLB and MPA, LLB and MBA, and NURS and HINF) which encompass the combined efforts of multiple academic units and Faculties. Jointlysupervised individual PhD programs are somewhat different in that they combine the efforts of two or possibly three universities and in that student academic programs are planned and administered on an individual basis. Jointly-supervised individual programs are also different in that they are solely for PhD students, and only one degree is awarded. A number of University of Victoria faculty members lend strong support to the development of jointly-supervised individual PhD programs. Through various research affiliations, the Faculty of Graduate studies has been put on notice from these faculty members that universities such as the University of Luzern in Switzerland and Universite Paul Valery at Montpellier have inquired as to when the University of Victoria will have the official capacity to enter into joint program arrangements. Adding to support for such an option are the numerous inquiries the Faculty of Graduate Studies has had from students wanting to embark on this type of program. There are many models from around the world for jointly-supervised individual graduate programs. For example, many universities in eastern Canada already have this PhD option for students, including McGill, the University of Ottawa, and York University. Quebec universities have, since the 1990s entered into such arrangements with various universities in France. As well, jointly-supervised degrees are available from many universities in Australia, the United States, other European countries and China (see Appendix C). That these institutions already have these types of options for students in place bodes well for the success of this option at the University of Victoria. This type of arrangement will be beneficial for University of Victoria faculty members in that they may expand their own research programs through the research networks and relationships that come about through jointly-supervised individual PhD programs. The basic elements of the proposed jointly-supervised individual PhD programs are as follows. A jointly-supervised individual PhD is a single PhD degree jointly awarded by more than one university. A jointly-supervised individual PhD student s application, enrolment and academic program must meet the PhD requirements of each university. A jointly-supervised individual PhD program is a collaborative academic program of scholarship & research designed, supervised, and examined by faculty from each university. It does not involve transfer of credit nor is it a student simply traveling overseas for a period of time to complete some part of his/her research. The academic and research program of a student enrolled in a jointly-supervised individual PhD program should be based on ongoing or developing research collaborations between research groups in the participating institutions. Jointly-supervised individual PhD program degree arrangements should be established from the outset or at the earliest possible stage, but at the latest, before a student has reached candidacy status. 2
These programs will enhance the University of Victoria s global reputation, which will enhance the ability to attract the best students and scholars from around the world. They will provide valuable opportunities that can be quite quickly arranged for students. The benefits for students from jointly-awarded individual PhD programs include access to multiple research environments and cultures as well as access to training and facilities at more than one research-intensive university. The scheme has the potential to increase PhD student enrolments as well as the outputs associated with PhD students including publications, conference papers, and dissertation research. 3. Aims, Goals and Objectives: The University of Victoria s strategic plan, as elaborated in A Vision for the Future Building on Strength, 2007, states, Universities of today are international institutions. Students from abroad show a strong interest in attending the University of Victoria, and all of our graduates are expected to engage as global citizens. Internationalization increasingly affects what we do, expanding the opportunities and obligations of our students and faculty. Global communications, economic and social interdependence, and international co-operation and tensions have made our engagement at the international level both a responsibility and a prerequisite for our success. These trends have brought about changes in what we teach, who we teach, where we teach and how we teach, as well as in the nature and focus of our research. These same trends mean that universities must compete globally for resources, research funding and the most talented students and faculty. 2 Further, and regarding its mission, this strategy document states, The University of Victoria is an international institution dedicated to developing global citizens and leaders. We have a rich tradition of excellence in selected areas of internationalization across our research, teaching and academic support activities. The challenge now is to integrate these activities in a systematic and sustained way. It is critically important that the learning environment experienced by each and every student promotes a sense of world-mindedness and facilitates the development of cross-cultural competence and global citizenship. 3 The University of Victoria Faculty of Graduate Studies wishes to provide for greater student mobility and flexibility. With rising demands from students and faculty in our own and other institutions, with the increasing availability of joint program options on other continents, among English-speaking Canadian universities, and with the popularity of co-tutelle programs in Quebec and other Francophone communities, we propose the adoption of jointly-supervised individual PhD programs at the University of Victoria. The benefits of such programs to students and to the university are that they increase: access to unique and/or sophisticated research equipment and resources, and to world-class faculty; the ability to undertake research of explicit global significance; the facilitation of international study and experience for our PhD students; international collaborative research between universities; 2 The University of Victoria s strategic plan is called A Vision for the Future Building on Strength, February 2007, p. 10. The entire document can be found at http://web.uvic.ca/strategicplan. 3 Ibid., p. 29. 3
University of Victoria Jointly-Supervised PHD Program access to additional sources of student financial support including eligibility for scholarships and awards at participating universities; recruitment of excellent graduate students by the university; and the development of personal skills for students including international leadership, partnership building and global engagement. The University of Victoria strategic plan also quotes from Making a World of Difference: A Strategic Plan for Furthering Internationalization at the University of Victoria, April 2006, where it is stated that the University has a mission regarding internationalization with the following themes: student mobility (study abroad initiatives and international students on-campus); internationalization of the curriculum; international research, development projects and artistic creation; and enhancing the international presence and capacity on campus. 4 Classic student mobility, which enables our students to do part of their studies beyond the borders of British Columbia and Canada is within the framework of exchange programs and similar agreements which constitute an important element of our internationalisation strategy. However, over the last several years, new types of student mobility have emerged characterized by agreements and arrangements which allow students to opt for new kinds of academic degrees such as double degrees and joint degrees. The joint supervision of doctoral dissertations falls under this student mobility trend. 4. Admission Requirements: The guiding principles for the admission of students into jointly-supervised individual PhD programs are: The student s application, entry requirements and academic program must meet the PhD requirements of the collaborating universities. Each institution must arrange for the admission of the student in accordance with their own regulations and procedures. Students are admitted to each university, and one university will be delegated as the home university. The student s principal supervisor will be a member of the home university. The proposed academic and research program of a student admitted to a jointly-supervised individual PhD program should be based on ongoing or developing research collaborations between research groups in the participating institutions. Approval to admit a student to a jointly-supervised individual PhD program will be determined jointly by the partner universities on a case-by-case basis. Each jointly-supervised individual PhD program will be regulated and facilitated by a reciprocal written Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the collaborating universities. This agreement will outline the arrangements pertaining to that particular student and details of the academic program that the 4 A framework which details issues, challenges and a plan for internationalization the University is found in Making a World of Difference: A Strategic Plan for Furthering Internationalization at the University of Victoria, April 2006,. p. 17. The entire document can be found at http://oia.uvic.ca/sites/default/files/oiastrategic_plan_2.pdf 4
University of Victoria Jointly-Supervised PHD Program student will be required to complete. The MOA will be signed at the University of Victoria by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The MOA will specify the terms and conditions of the student s program, such as joint supervision; academic program content; required coursework; expected duration; insurance arrangements; residency periods; student financial support, including access to scholarships, awards, assistantships & teaching; candidacy examinations; dissertation requirements, including the language of dissertation; final oral examination; and intellectual property ownership. Each university must agree to provide the resources necessary to permit the realization of a student s research within the limits of available funds. Students enrolled in jointly-supervised individual PhD programs will have normal graduate student access to housing, recreational facilities, library, e-mail accounts, health insurance, etc. while in residence at each university. It would be the student s responsibility to ensure that the fees associated with these provisions would be paid to the university providing the services for the residence period. 5 After preliminary discussions and negotiations have taken place with the partner institution(s),students wishing to embark on a jointly-supervised individual PhD program will ensure that the Memorandum of Agreement template will be completed and signed by the student, University of Victoria supervisor, graduate advisor and head of the UVic academic unit and submitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies. An advisor in the Faculty will be available for consultation to the graduate advisor in the home academic unit for such issues as the development of student programs, the negotiation of the MOAs, and admission. Admission to a jointly-supervised individual PhD program may come by way of any of the following circumstances: 1. A University of Victoria student wishing to do a jointly-supervised PhD who is currently admitted to a PhD program at the University of Victoria, will remain in that program until such time as the MOA has been negotiated and approved by all of the partner institutions. At such time, the student will be transferred to the Jointly-Supervised Individual PhD Program. 2. A student whose home institution is not the University of Victoria and wishes to embark on a jointly-supervised individual PhD program where the University of Victoria would be a partner, will be admitted to a University of Victoria Jointly- Supervised Individual PhD Program once the MOA is signed by all parties. 3. A potential student whose home institution would be the University of Victoria in a jointly-supervised individual PhD program, may either apply for admission to a PhD program in their home academic unit and then follow the procedure outlined in bullet #1, or may wait for admission until such time as the MOA has final approval. Final UVic approval for the admission of an individual student into a jointly-supervised individual PhD program would be the responsibility of the Dean of Graduate Studies on the 5 The Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of British Columbia presented a document to UBCs Senate Policy Committee in March 2009 which proposed a Jointly-Awarded PhD Degree. These principles are recorded as those which will guide the establishment of jointly-supervised PhD programs on a case-by-case basis by the use of a Memorandum of Agreement for each case. 5
advice of the relevant academic unit(s) and in accordance with the principles outlined in this paper. Funding & Fees Students will pay tuition fees to the institution where they are resident, and a mechanism for counting students while at the other university(ies) will be put in place. Funding arrangements (including self-funding elements) to support a jointly-supervised individual PhD student must be clearly defined in the Memorandum of Agreement. Partners are free to participate in a jointly-supervised individual PhD program, or not, depending on whether they think it is academically appropriate and financially possible. Students will be eligible to apply for scholarships from each of the partner universities but will only be eligible at any time to be in receipt of a full scholarship from one of the partners. Students in jointly-supervised individual PhD programs may be eligible for teaching and research assistantships at each partner institution. Expenses related to tuition, living costs, airfare and international conferences need to be taken into consideration when developing funding packages. 6 5. Areas of Specialization and Evidence of Adequate Faculty Complement: The University of Victoria currently offers 29 PhD programs with several more under development. All tenured and tenure-track faculty members at the university are normally members of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and therefore are eligible to teach and supervise PhD students 6. Curriculum Design: In consultation with the supervisors, students will determine a schedule detailing when study periods will take place in each participating university and where various activities such as courses, candidacy examinations, internships, and research activities shall occur. The Memorandum of Agreement will include a detailed and clearly articulated research program. In all cases, the total duration of the period of residence (physical presence) at the University of Victoria shall not be less than three full-time consecutive terms. For students whose home institution is the University of Victoria, the total period of registration at the University of Victoria (including both physical presence and distance registration) shall not be less than six full-time terms. The normal duration of the doctoral program is three to five years. Each university (in collaboration with its partners and in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement) is responsible for matters related to the management of the student s standing including monitoring progress, ethical behaviour, discipline, intellectual property, and managing the oral defence and examination. The doctoral program must meet the combined requirements of each program (under the understanding that one activity can serve to meet the requirements of each program 6 Other funding opportunities are also available to students. For example, the French government has recently launched a call for fellowships for Canadian co-tutelle students which will cover a round-trip ticket to France and a six-month stipend of $1500 CAD per month. The stipulation for this program is that only Canadian universities that have officially approved co-supervision agreements will be eligible. As well, there are several funding programs available through the European Union in support of Masters or Doctoral joint degrees and student exchanges. 6
simultaneously) and are subject to the regulations in force at each university. The dissertation is normally defended in the home institution (unless otherwise agreed upon). Typical Academic Path Preparation: Designing and detailing jointly-supervised individual PhD program Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement Year One (September to August): Start of doctoral program Courses at home university Year Two (September to August): Courses at home or partner university Candidacy Examinations Year Three (September to August): Dissertation work at home or partner university Year Four (September to August): Dissertation work at home or partner university Oral defence typically at home university In the event that a student decides to drop out of a jointly-supervised individual PhD program, the agreement in place which regulates their program would be terminated and it would be the student s responsibility to negotiate their continued admission at one of the universities if they wished to complete their program. 7
7. Enrolment Plan for the Length of the Program: It is assumed that only a small number of very top-calibre students will engage in this type of PhD program arrangement. Senate-approved policies regulating PhD degrees at the University of Victoria will govern all jointly-supervised individual PhD programs. 8. Plans for On-going Program Assessment and for Evaluation of Graduate Student Supervision: Progress and Supervision A student s Supervisory Committee will include members from each university. The Supervisory Committee will have face-to-face or virtual meetings with the student at least once a year, produce a written report of the meeting which will be signed by the supervisors and the student, and submit the report to the Dean of Graduate Studies or designate at each university. Where the partner universities teach in different languages, the dissertation will be written in the language of one of the universities and the student will provide a substantial synopsis (minimum of 5,000 words) in the language of the partner university. Students should also be prepared to provide an oral summary in the second language at the final oral examination. Examination and Graduation The home university normally will be responsible for the organization of the final oral examination of the dissertation. The examination panel will include, as a minimum, one external examiner who is independent of the partner institutions. At graduation, students receive a single degree parchment bearing the partners university logos and the words Awarded Jointly, or under Co-tutelle if with a French university. Alternatively, because of occasional difficulties in having multiple logos on the same parchment, students may receive a parchment from each university, each of which must prominently bear the words Awarded Jointly (or under Co-tutelle if with a French university) by the [names of the partner universities]. All transcripts issued by participating universities will be similarly notated. Overall Program Evaluation The Dean s office in the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Victoria will be responsible for overall academic assessment of the program at the University of Victoria. 9. Related Programs in British Columbia Post-Secondary Institutions: In British Columbia, while there are 13 universities, only four offer graduate programs at the PhD level. Simon Fraser University and the University of Northern British Columbia do not offer students the option of a jointly-supervised individual PhD program. The 8
University of British Columbia has just recently been given its Senate s approval to enter into these types of arrangements. In a recent meeting of the Western Canadian Deans of Graduate Studies, an informal poll indicated that almost all of the western universities have approval for, or are just embarking on gaining approval for jointly-supervised individual PhD programs. Appendices A. Calendar curriculum change forms B. Memorandum of Agreement template C. List and details of jointly-supervised individual PhD programs offered around the world 9