Disclaimer: this is a translation of the Bando (call for application) for international applicants. It has merely informational purposes but no legal value. The only official source is the original Italian call available at http://www.unive.it/graduateschool Call for applications for admission to Research Doctorate in Computer Science held by the University s Graduate School for the 28 th cycle (2012-2013 academic year) Art. 1 - Purpose of the call for applications and general rules 1. This call for applications defines the conditions regarding admission to Research Doctorate in Computer Science under the Graduate School of the Ca Foscari University of Venice, for the 28 th cycle (2012-2013 academic year). 2. Submission of the application for admission as set forth in article 5 implies the acceptance of regulations contained in this call for applications on behalf of the candidate. 3. Failure to comply with the rules contained in this call for applications shall lead to applicants being excluded from the competitive selection process. 4. Attachments to this call for applications constitute an integral part of it. 5. The University will send candidates all communication regarding this competitive selection procedure by e-mail. For this purpose the e-mail address provided by the candidate while registering on the website (see article 5, paragraph 2) will be used. 6. The University assumes no liability for miscommunications as a result of candidates providing an incorrect address, late or non-notification of any changes of address, or problems with postal or e-mail services beyond the University s control. 7. Any amendments or additions to the call for applications will be published on the University s Graduate School website at the following address: www.unive.it/graduateschool > Ammissione > Bandi. 8. The call for applications will also be available in printed form from the University Graduate School, San Sebastiano 1686 Venezia (1 st floor) and from the URP (public relations) office, Ca Foscari Dorsoduro 3246 Venezia (ground floor), during office opening times, which can be consulted online. Art. 2 - Call for applications and admission criteria 1. For the 2012-2013 academic year, 28 th cycle, Ca Foscari University offers the Research Doctorate in Computer Science. 2. Students are admitted to the Research Doctorate by participating in a competition adhering to the procedures included with this call for applications (Attachment A ), which define the research topics, number of positions available in the selection process, admission requirements, candidate selection criteria used to produce the eligibility list and testing dates. 3. Candidates, if they are admitted for the interviews, must come to the examination venue, on the day and at the time specified in Attachment A, producing a valid identity document. 4. The number of positions available may increase as a result of subsequent provisions following funding being obtained from public research bodies or from eligible private productive enterprises, without prejudice to the final dates for submitting the admission application. In the event of implementation of the provisions of article 19, paragraph 1 of Law no. 240 of 30 December 2010, the number of places without a scholarship may be further increased by means of a subsequent provision. 5. The scheduled starting date of the course is September 17, 2012. The duration of Research Doctorate is three years. Enacted by Rectorial Decree no. 95 of March 9 th, 2012
Art. 3 - Admission requirements 1. Candidates in possession of the following requirements, regardless of age or nationality, may apply to participate in the competition: Laurea specialistica or Laurea magistrale (second cycle degree); or degree awarded under the system ( ordinamento ) in place prior to the one introduced by Ministerial Decree (D.M.) no. 509 of 03 November 1999, amended by Ministerial Decree (D.M.) no. 270 of 22 October 2004; equivalent academic qualification awarded abroad, recognised as such in advance solely for the purpose of admission to the competition, in accordance with the procedures set forth in article 4 below. 2. Students taking their final year of an eligible degree may also submit admission applications by the dates set out in article 5 below, on condition that they are awarded the academic qualification entitling them to admission before the Selection Committee begins work, in accordance with the calendar provided in Attachment A. By this date, final-year candidates must communicate the date when the qualification was awarded and the consequent grade that was awarded by submitting a self-certification if they are Italian or European Union citizens and sending it via fax to +39 041 234 7379, or by e-mailing it to the following address: phd.application@unive.it. Candidates who have not communicated their attainment of the qualification by the specified date, who have sent incomplete or incorrect communications, or have sent them via different means or to a number or address other than those indicated above, will be excluded from the competition. 6. Admission applications submitted by candidates who are already enrolled on Research Doctorates held at the Ca Foscari University will not be accepted. Art. 4 - Academic qualification awarded abroad 1. University qualifications awarded abroad must be comparable to the qualification of Laurea Magistrale (second cycle degree) in terms of duration, level and subject area. In accordance with this principle, the Teaching Board of the Doctoral Programme shall decide with regard to the admissibility of the application. 2. Candidates in possession of an academic qualification awarded abroad, while registering their application, must complete the online questionnaire Information about foreign qualification and attach: Certification of qualification with a list of examinations taken ( transcript ) in Italian, English, French or Spanish, that is, translated into one of the aforementioned languages by and under the supervision of candidates; Italian and European citizens are only required to submit a self-certification, as provided for by Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) no. 445 of 28 December 2000, as amended by article 15, paragraph 1 of Law no. 183 of 12 November 2011; all other documentation deemed useful in evaluating the admissibility of the qualification held in order to participate in the competition (Diploma Supplement, curriculum vitae in the European format, declaration of local validity, etc). 3. The candidate may be asked at any time to supplement the documentation submitted, for the purpose of verifying its admissibility. 4. Candidates in possession of an academic qualification will be conditionally admitted to the competition and, if selected, must submit the documentation set out in article 10, paragraph 4. Art. 5 - Admission application 1. The admission application must be completed by 12.30pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Failure to do so will result in exclusion from the competition. 2. The admission application must be completed using the specific online procedure, which is in two stages: a. registration on the university website (www.unive.it (English Version) Studying > Research Doctorates >Call for applications for the a.y. 2012/2013 > Online registration to enrol at Ca Foscari) at the end of which a username and password will be assigned; if the candidate already possesses the credentials required to access the reserved area (for example as former students of the university), this stage is skipped; b. completion of the admission application, by accessing the reserved area and navigating to the following locations: Online Student Services - ESSE3 > Admission Test. At the end of the procedure, the Save Application button appears. In any case the application cannot be sent in paper form or by e-mail. 2/7
For academic qualifications awarded abroad, the online questionnaire referred to in article 2, paragraph 4 above must also be completed. 3. Applications not submitted using the online procedure described in the previous paragraph, incomplete applications and applications lacking the obligatory academic qualifications set out in Attachment A, will not be considered valid. 4. The qualifications and publications required by the forms included with this call for applications (Attachment A ) must be attached to the online application in electronic format, accompanied by the relevant list (Attachment B ). The candidate may also add, delete or modify the attached documents after completion of the online application as set out in paragraph 2.b above, on condition that they do so by 12.30pm on Wednesday April 11, 2012. The name of the attached files must contain the candidate s surname. Lengthy publications or publications which are unavailable in electronic format may be submitted by the candidate separately, accompanied by the relevant list (Attachment B ), by 12.30pm on Wednesday April 11, 2012: by hand, to the offices of the University Graduate School, at the following address: San Sebastiano Dorsoduro 1686, 30123 Venezia, 1 st floor, between 10am and 12pm from Monday to Friday; or by post to the following address: Università Ca Foscari - Scuola Dottorale di Ateneo, San Sebastiano Dorsoduro 1686, 30123 Venezia. The postmark date will not be considered. The envelope must bear the name and surname of the candidate, with the following words: Concorso di ammissione al Dottorato di ricerca in Informatica. 5. The documentation referred to in paragraph 4 above must be in Italian or English, or translated into Italian or English. The candidate is solely responsible for the translation. As expressed by article 3, paragraph 2 with regard to the academic qualifications permitting candidates to participate, the qualifications submitted must have been awarded within the final date of submission of the application. Pursuant to Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) no. 445 of 28 December 2000, as amended by article 15, paragraph 1, of Law no. 183 of 12 November 2011, Italian and European citizens are required to submit only a self-declaration with regard to the following personal statuses and details, as certified by Public Administrations, specified in this call for applications and the accompanying forms (Attachment A ): a) membership of professional bodies, in lists kept by public administrations; b) membership of professional registers; c) academic qualification, examinations taken; d) vocational status held, specialist, professional, training, update and technical qualification(s) possessed; e) student status. 6. Candidates who wish to apply for PhD scholarships that are conditional on specific research being conducted, from among any of those set out in Attachment A, must specify the relevant code in the online questionnaire, which must be completed during registration of the application. 7. Candidates who wish to participate in the competition for several Research Doctorates or subjects must submit several applications, attaching the necessary documentation for each one. 8. Disabled candidates who wish to make use of the aid provided for by Law no. 104 of 05 February 1992 may state this wish when completing the online application, indicating the type of aid required. 9. A list of applications received by the end date will be published on the University website at the following address: www.unive.it/graduateschool > Ammissione > Bandi. 10. Candidates admitted to the competition are subject to verification and must satisfy the requirements declared in the call for applications. This verification will be carried out pursuant to article 43 of Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) no. 445 of 28 December 2000. The Administration may therefore decide to exclude certain candidates from the selection process at any time. The Administration will also take steps, as a matter of course, to verify the validity of the self-declarations submitted by candidates: anyone who makes false declarations will be punished pursuant to the criminal code and specific applicable laws. Art. 6 - Selection Committee 1. The Selection Committee for Research Doctorate admission procedures is appointed by the Rector, upon the proposal of the Graduate School Board, and consist of three members, including the chairman, chosen from 3/7
among tenured university professors and research associates. The role of Chairman of the Board is entrusted to a full or temporary professor, or, in the absence of full professors, to an associate professor. 2. The Board may be supplemented by no more than two experts, who may also be foreign, chosen from public and private research bodies and facilities. The appointment of such experts is compulsory in the event of agreements or understandings with small and medium-sized enterprises. 3. The Board establish the criteria for assigning scores to qualifications before the completion of the examinations themselves, or with regard to any aspects not referred to in the forms included in Attachment A. Art. 7 - Final classification results 1. Candidates deemed eligible are admitted to the Research Doctorate in accordance with the order in which they are ranked and until the number of available positions has been reached. 2. The classification results will be published on the website at the following location: www.unive.it/graduateschool > Ammissione > Bandi. 3. The PhD scholarships, as provided for by article 8, are awarded in accordance with candidates classification, regardless of nationality. For candidates of equal merit, the selection criterion is the economic status of the candidate s family, which is determined in accordance with current applicable student support legislation. 4. Places not covered by scholarships are allocated to suitable candidates until all places have been allocated. In the event that two candidates are of equal merit, priority will be granted firstly to students with a disability rating of 66% or over, and then to the younger of the two candidates. 5. A surplus number of eligible candidates with foreign citizenship may be admitted until all positions on the Research Doctorate have been allocated. In the case of candidates with dual citizenship, Italian citizenship takes precedence. 6. In the case of scholarships that are conditional on specific research being conducted and for which no candidate has stated a specific preference, the Board may recommend that it be allocated to one of the candidates whose classification makes them eligible, on the basis of the results of the selection and in any case in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Convention. 7. In the event of a candidate withdrawing before the beginning of the competition, the next-ranked eligible candidate will take that candidate s place. Any PhD scholarships available as a result of the beneficiary s withdrawal will be reallocated to eligible candidates according to their classification including candidates who had declined a place without a scholarship. Art. 8 - PhD scholarships 1. The total amount of the PhD scholarship is 13,638.47 euros per year, including and social security contributions payable by the scholarship holder. The PhD scholarship is exempt from both local income tax (ILOR) and personal income tax (IRPEF). The scholarship is disbursed over the entire duration of the course. 2. The total amount of the PhD scholarship increases by 50% for any periods spent abroad. 3. The scholarship is paid in twelve monthly installments. 4. The PhD scholarship cannot be combined with research grants or other scholarships of any kind that are awarded, with the exception of those awarded by national or foreign institutions which may supplement the training and research activities of scholarship holders with periods of study abroad. 5. PhD scholarships are paid for a period of no longer than three years. 6. Candidates who have previously received a PhD Scholarship cannot be awarded one, even partially. Art. 9 - Regional student support scholarships and students loans 1. Students admitted to Research Doctorate who do not receive a scholarship as declared in article 8 and whose economic status corresponds to the requirements established by current legislation may apply to be awarded scholarships in accordance with the provisions established by the specific Call for Applications (Bando) for the implementation of student support (diritto allo studio universitario) for the 2012-2013 academic year, which will be published in July 2012. 4/7
2. The students allowed to attend the Research Doctorate could benefit from student loans, a special form of financing granted at facilitating conditions. For further information, please link to the website: ( www.unive.it/ - Università Ca Foscari > Studia con noi > Tasse e borse di studio > Agevolazioni economiche > Prestiti d onore). Art. 10 - Enrolment of successful candidates 1. Within five work days of the date of publication of the classification results (graduatoria) on the university website (see Attachment A ), on penalty of disqualification, successful candidates must complete their enrolment following the specific online procedure, by accessing the reserved area, with the same credentials used to complete the application for admission to the competition, at the following location: Servizi Segreteria Studenti - ESSE3 > Immatricolazione > Immatricolazione ai corsi ad accesso programmato. In this phase, the candidates concerned must upload a passport-sized photograph during the computerised process. The same final date applies to the payment of enrolment fees as set forth in article 11 below, exclusively via the online payment procedure, which can be found at the following address on the University website: http://www.unive.it/tasseonline. It is pointed out that the procedures described above (pre-enrolment and payment of enrolment fees) are required for the purpose of accepting the position, on penalty of disqualification from the Research Doctorate. Candidates who decline the position are requested to send notification of their decision to the following address: postlauream@unive.it. 2. In the event that one of the candidates declines the position, the procedure for allocating the position in accordance with article 7, paragraph 7 will apply. The candidates concerned will be notified exclusively via e-mail. Acceptance of the position must be forthcoming within five work days of the notification, following the same procedures as those set out in paragraph 1. 3. The enrolment application generated by the online procedure must be completed, signed and submitted to the Post Lauream Service, located on the ground floor of the Ca Foscari University offices (at the following address: Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venezia) between June 1 st and June 30 th 2012. The Service s front desk is accessible by appointment only via the university website www.unive.it, at the following location: Università Ca' Foscari Venezia > Prenotazioni Sportello Immatricolazioni Dottorati. Together with the enrolment application, candidates must submit a photocopy of their tax code (codice fiscale). 4. Successful PhD scholarship applicants must also submit: a declaration of enrolment/non-enrolment in another compulsory social security fund. The form can be downloaded from the university website www.unive.it at the following location: Università Ca' Foscari Venezia > Studia con noi > Iscrizione > Dottorati di ricerca > Immatricolazioni. Non-EU citizens must also produce: their original residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) and/or visa. Successful applicants in possession of an academic qualification awarded abroad must also submit: an authenticated photocopy of the diploma certifying the academic qualification required to access the Research Doctorate; a translation and authentication of the academic qualification required for admission to the Research Doctorate in Italian or English; in addition, for academic qualifications obtained outside the European Union, the original declaration of local validity issued by the Italian diplomatic or consular representation in the Country to whose educational system the awarding institution belongs, which must show that the academic qualification entitles the holder to enrol on an academic course that is equivalent to the PhD course. Foreign citizens in possession of a Borsa del Ministero degli Affari esteri (Ministry of Foreign Affairs grant) awarded by the Italian Government must also produce the relevant certification. 5. Others may be delegated to submit the documentation required for enrolment, on condition that they bring authorisation on plain paper and a copy of the identity document of the delegating party. 6. The documentation required for enrolment may be sent by registered post with a receipt included, by the dates defined in paragraph 3 above and must be accompanied by a copy of a valid identity document, to the following 5/7
address: Università Ca Foscari - Servizio Post Lauream, Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venezia. For this purpose the postmark date is considered. 7. Within a month of the start of the courses, the successful PhD scholarship applicant must arrange to register for the Gestione Separata INPS (separately managed social security contributions) scheme. 8. If, after the pre-enrolment procedure set out in paragraph 1, candidates do not complete their enrolment, the amounts paid will not be refunded. 9. All financial transactions with the University (crediting of scholarship, refund of expenses, etc.) will be regulated according to the procedures that will subsequently be communicated on the website of the Graduate School (www.unive.it/graduateschool). Art. 11 - University fees and contributions 1. The maximum amount of university fees and contributions for the 2012-2013 academic year is 966.00 euros, to which the regional student support tax (tassa regionale per il diritto allo studio), to be set by the Veneto Region, and stamp duty (imposta di bollo) of 14.62 Euro must be added. 2. Payment is made in two instalments. 3. The following categories must pay only stamp fees and the regional student support tax: holders of PhD scholarships; holders of research grants; holders of Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants; students admitted who have a disability rating of 66% or over. 4. Reductions may apply to the amount specified in paragraph 1 above according to students economic condition, as established on the basis of the Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente (ISEE), pursuant to article 5 of the Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) of 09 April 2001. The contribution calls and related reductions, as well as procedures and final dates for the issue of the ISEE certification, are published on the website of the Graduate School (www.unive.it/graduateschool). 5. Applicants awarded the regional student support grant referred to in article 9 will also be reimbursed for the regional student support tax (tassa regionale per il diritto allo studio). Art. 12 - Rights, duties and incompatibility of PhD students 1. PhD students may conduct research, specialisation and training activities at universities or institutes abroad for a period of no longer than 12 months during the entire duration of the Research Doctorate, subject to the authorisation of the Teaching Board of Doctoral Programme. 2. PhD students may perform limited unpaid teaching activities as part of the Research Doctorate, in order to complete their training, without prejudice to the provisions of Ministerial Decree (D.M.) no.198/2003 concerning the option of performing supplementary paid teaching activities. 3. PhD students may work if this does not interfere with their obligations as PhD students. Students may not, in any case, enter into teaching contracts regarding official University courses. 4. Enrolment on the Research Doctorate is not compatible with enrolment on other Research Doctorates at other Italian and/or foreign universities or research institutes (except co-tutelle agreements), on first- and second-cycle Degree courses, on first- and second-level university Master s degree courses or at specialisation Schools. Students right to suspend their studies on the aforementioned courses if required is not affected. 5. The ownership of the research results belongs to this university, which shall have the exclusive right to exploit, use and publish them, except for the moral rights of the inventor/author. 6. The attainment of the qualification is conditional upon completing a postgraduate thesis in the university s openaccess archive, thus ensuring that it is preserved and publicly consultable. PhD students, as the author of their thesis, maintain all rights, both moral and economic, according to the law 633/1941 and following modifications and integrations. As provided by article 6 of Ministerial Decree (D.M.) no. 224 of 30 April 1999, the University is responsible for depositing the thesis at the Rome and Florence National Central Libraries (Biblioteche Nazionali di Roma e Firenze). 6/7
Art. 13 - Returning of qualifications and publications 1. Qualifications and publications submitted in paper form may be collected by candidates 90 days after publication of the classification results (graduatoria) and within the 2 months following said date, barring any disputes. The documentation may be collected directly or sent, upon the request and at the expense of the individual concerned. 2. Five months after the publication of the classification results, the University is no longer obliged to return the aforementioned documentation. Art. 14 - Processing of data and right to access 1. The University, in implementation of Legislative Decree no. 196 of 30 June 2003 ( Codice in materia di protezione dei dati personali, personal data protection code), uses the personal details provided by the candidate for the completion of competition procedures for institutional purposes. 2. In accordance with the principles set forth in the aforementioned law, candidates participation in the competition implies their tacit consent to the publication of their personal details and information relating to the tests that form part of the competition on the University s website. 3. Competition documents are public. Pursuant to Law no. 241 of 07 August 1990, Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) no. 184 of 12 April 2006, and the relevant Regulation regarding its implementation issued by University, anyone with a legally significant interest in exercising their right to access the competition documents by the 60 th day after their approval is guaranteed said right. Art. 15 - Relevant regulations 1. Regarding any matters not mentioned in this call for applications, one should refer to the University s current regulations, specifically the Regolamento generale di Ateneo ( General University Regulations ), Regolamento delle Scuole di dottorato e dei Dottorati di ricerca di Ca' Foscari ( Regulations of the Ca Foscari Doctoral Schools and Research Doctorates ) and the Regolamento della Scuola Dottorale di Ateneo (University Graduate School Regulations ). 2. Further information concerning this call for applications, selection procedures, the composition of the Selection Committee and admission of eligible students can be obtained from the website of the Graduate School at www.unive.it/graduateschool or can be requested from the Graduate School s Registrar s Office by calling +39 041 234 7372 between 10am and 12pm from Monday to Friday and/or writing to the following e-mail address: phd.application@unive.it. Venice, March 9, 2012 The Rector Professor Carlo Carraro Person in charge of administrative proceedings: Sabrina Daneluzzi 7/7