Update corona: call for flexibility in doctoral research (Rector UGent)

(04-05-2020)

Dear colleague,

These are extraordinary times. Times in which it is far from self-evident to complete doctoral research in accordance with agreed upon schedules.

Therefore, during this time, I would ask faculties and supervisors to apply flexibility in upholding certain initially agreed upon minimum criteria or objectives (e.g. the amount of publications, the amount of conferences attended, the amount of research data to be collected or lab tests to be carried out, ...). Indeed, the development of the competencies that characterize those that have a PhD degree is far more important than achieving some very specific (quantitative) objectives during the PhD track.

Subsequently, I have also sent the message below to all PhD students at Ghent University.

Thank you in advance for taking this into account.

In closing: this mail has been sent to all professorial staff. In case your PhD student has co-supervisors or counsellors that are not part of the professorial staff, I would ask that you relay this email to them as well.

Kind regards,

Rik Van de Walle
Ghent University

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Dear doctoral student,

These are extraordinary times. Times in which it is far from self-evident to complete doctoral research in accordance with agreed upon schedules. I understand that, due to coronary measures, you may be confronted with delays in planned research activities. Perhaps you also face gnawing uncertainty or even the question of whether you will be able to obtain a PhD at all.

I would hereby like to let you know that I have communicated to all faculties and supervisors that I expect them to show flexibility in upholding certain initially agreed upon minimum criteria or objectives (e.g. the amount of publications, the amount of conferences attended, the amount of research data to be collected or lab tests to be carried out, ...) After all, the development of the competencies that characterize those that have a PhD degree is far more important than achieving some very specific (quantitative) objectives during the doctoral project.

I encourage you to share any concerns you may have about this with your supervisor, to evaluate together the impact of the corona crisis on your original research planning and, if necessary, to make adjustments.

If you find yourself unable to positively resolve your concerns, Ghent University’s Trustpunt would like to share a few tips with you. If you would like to have a word with one of the counsellors at Trustpunt, this can be done in all confidentiality by contacting them through trustpunt@ugent.be.

Finally, I would like to point out that if you would soon be defending your PhD and have been unable to complete the curriculum of your doctoral study programme due to the corona crisis, you may apply for exemptions at the Doctoral Schools. These exemptions are granted on the condition that you were enrolled in a course cancelled (or postponed to a date after the planned submission date of the PhD) due to the crisis and that there are no digital alternatives available for this course.

A specific overview of corona measures that apply to doctoral students can be found here.

Kind regards,

Rik Van de Walle
Ghent University