Dijkgraaf: ‘clear PhD rules needed’

Dijkgraaf: ‘clear PhD rules needed’

The rules of PhD programmes are not always clear, with sometimes painful consequences, concluded Promovendi Netwerk Nederland (PNN) last year. Education minister Dijkgraaf urges universities to work together to provide more clarity.

It is important that PhD students are well informed about their rights and obligations, the awarding of the doctoral degree and the defence of the dissertation, writes education minister Robbert Dijkgraaf in a response. “Uncertainty about the pathway can lead to unwanted stress and work pressure, which can be avoided with transparent policies,” the minister said.

According to the PNN, which compared the PhD rules of 15 Dutch universities, in addition to the central PhD regulations of universities, there are all kinds of different, decentralised rules, which are not easy to find. PhD students do not always know where they stand.

The PNN wants universities to include all rules and assessment criteria in their central doctoral regulations. The public defence of the thesis should only be ceremonial and not an assessment moment. If it is not and PhD students can still fail, this should be clear in advance. Appeals should then also be in the regulations.

According to Dijkgraaf, who spoke to the PNN, it is up to the universities to do something with the recommendations. The network will meet with universities in May. (HOP, PvT)