Should it be possible to obtain a PhD at a university of applied sciences? The ruling VVD party wants to block the plan, but with a political majority, the government is free to press ahead with recognising the professional doctorate.
The government wants to introduce two new titles: EngD and PD, or ‘engineering doctor’ and ‘professional doctor’. The EngD is a two-year engineering doctorate programme at a university.
The VVD is not yet convinced that the recognition of the university of applied sciences version of this practice-oriented doctorate, the PD, should go ahead. That is why the VVD tabled a motion to await the outcome of the pilot, which runs until 2029. A more radical motion came from the group led by Markuszower and Mona Keijzer: they wanted to rule out the possibility of a higher professional education doctorate right now.
Both motions received support but failed to secure a majority, so for the time being, Minister Rianne Letschert may continue working on her bill.
This will come as a relief to the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences. In a national pilot scheme, twenty-six universities of applied sciences are now offering PhD programmes. The first candidates began in 2023 and there are now more than a hundred enrolled. However, their PhD programmes are not yet legally recognised. Last week, the association therefore issued an urgent appeal to the House of Representatives not to make a hasty decision.
HOP, Bas Belleman
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