Cotutelle the Canadian View Christian Blanchette, Professeur en usages pédagogiques des technologies de l information Doyen associé, interdisciplinarité et affaires internationales blanchette@uottawa.ca,
COTUTELLE - CONTEXT 1. The Canadian Graduate Education Model 2. Cotutelle The Canadian Point of View 3. A Policy on Cotutelle 4. Establishing a PhD in Cotutelle, a Practical Guide 5. Academic Regulations French vs. Canadian 6. PhDs in Cotutelle, a tool for our International Strategies
CANADIAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM MASTER degree 2-year degrees (dominant model) Four configurations possible 2-yr research master 4 x 39 hour-courses + Research monography or one scientific article (16 months) 2-yr project master 6-8 courses + one research paper 2-yr course master 10 courses 1-yr master Executive MBA, literature Admission requirements Honours bachelor degree Selection based on marks and experiences
CANADIAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM PhD 4-year degree (typically but up to 6-7 years) Requirements 4 courses (year 1) Comprehensive exam (year 2) Research proposal (year 2) Research (year 3 and 4) PhD Defense Committee 5-7 members with one external expert Admission requirements Master degree in a related discipline Marks assessed (GPA) Letter of motivation and research interest
Cotutelle, in four sentences A PhD in cotutelle is a customized program constructed by two universities to serve the research project of a PhD candidate. The PhD student is registered in both universities concurrently and meets the requirements of their respective PhD program. The partnering universities agree to recognize academic activities done in the other university, with the goal that none of them are duplicated. At the end, the single thesis defense leads to the attribution of two parchemins (dual degrees) one from each universities both mentioning the cotutelle PhD done in cotutelle with University of France
WHY ENGAGE IN A COTUTELLE? Academic View Broadens the spectrum of research possible for our PhD students Enables more complex international research project to be implemented Customized Interdisciplinary Degrees Access to expertise and specialists Access to labs Administrative View Provide support for our students when in-country. Implementation of Customized Dual Degree Respect Provincial Regulations (Ontario) International index
Senate Policy on Cotutelle - OBJECTIVES 1. Consolidate and improve the training of our doctoral students 2. Foster doctoral student mobility 3. Ease the establishment of interdisciplinary plans in doctorates 4. Generate scientific exchanges between the University of Ottawa and partner institutions with which we sign cotutelle agreements
Senate Policy on Cotutelle - PRINCIPLES 1. Program requirements are all met. 2. Concurrent registrations at both universities 3. Tuition fees paid at the university where the student attends physically. 4. Structure of activities defined by student/supervisors/ program director 5. Multiple academic activities are done at both universities
Typical academic path of cotutelle students Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Start of doctoral program Courses Courses Research: return to home university or continue with partner university Define and prepare cotutelle project Sign cotutelle agreement Courses Complete studies at home university residency Take comprehensive examination or present thesis proposal Complete studies at home university residency Conduct thesis work studies at partner university Present oral defense of thesis at home university
Senate Policy on Cotutelle - RESPONSIBILITIES Supervisor: Establishes contact, defines research project and actively communicates with student and cosupervisor Program director: Validates academic plans and ensures program requirements are met. Associate Dean at FGPS: Ensures the Academic Plan was approved by program director, review cotutelle agreement to ensure academic regulations are respected and negotiates adjustments.
Establishing a PhD in Cotutelle, a Practical Guide Research Question Project Research International Director Supervisor Program Disciplines Validate Academic Plan Expertise Access to the field Labs and Facilities Associate Dean Grad. Studies Cotutelle Agreement Responsable École doctorale
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FRENCH AND CANADIAN ACADEMIC REGULATIONS Elements of PhD Degrees France Canada Length of degree 3 years 4-6 years Comprehensive exam NO YES, Trimester 5 Research proposal defense NO YES, Trimester 6-7 PhD course work Presence of supervisor on examining committee YES, participation in research seminars YES - Requirements YES, formal 39-hour courses NO - Forbidden Tuition fees 500 euro From $2700/yr to $5800/yr Scholarships YES Canadian students yes International students a few
COTUTELLE WITHIN AN INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY Provides international experience to our students Serves Interdisciplinary Research Serves Interdisciplinary Study Establishes research links Establishes closer collaborations with foreign universities Enables a bottom up approach to the establishment of international collaborations. Formalizes collaboration with our partner universities. Spread funding for international students to serve more students., 2010
Available Resources uottawa web site http://www.grad.uottawa.ca/default.aspx?tabid=3763 Senate Policy on Cotutelle Guide to cotutelle (Adapted from umontréal document) Cotutelle agreement a template Cotutelle checklists
Christian Blanchette blanchette@uottawa.ca