1. Development & Implementation of Skills Training in Doctoral Education
12 December 2012
Leen Cuypers, KU Leuven

3. KU Leuven (Leuven University)
students:
6.145 international students
4.381 PhD researchers
625 Phd’s awarded in
1.052 Postdoctoral researchers
1.018 Professors
55 Bachelor programmes
132 Master programmes (47 in English)
53 Advanced Master programmes (31 in English) 3

4. Doctoral time frame Research under supervision finalisation
Supervisory Committee
- (co)supervisor(s)
- 2 experts
Admission & Registration
Completion of doctoral training programme
Submit manuscript
Preliminary defense
Public defense
Progress reports
Oral Presentation
to Supervisory Committee
Written Report to Supervisory Committee
Oral Presentation
to Supervisory
Committee
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4

5. Science, Engineering & Technology Group
9.288 students in
Of which:
International students: 2.193
PhD researchers: 2.000
PhD defences in : 327
(5 years ago there were 266 PhD defences)
1 doctoral school, 5 faculties, 14 research departments 5

6. Arenberg Doctoral School

7. Arenberg Doctoral School SET
(international)
recruitment
administration
organizes
doctoral training
career
development
doctoral school
mobility &
co-operation
supervision &
quality assurance

8. To structure or not to structure: That’s the question...
Leuven University is organised in 3 groups:
Humanities & Social Sciences
Science, Engineering & Technology
Biomedical Science
In 2007 the university established a doctoral school in each group.

9. Result?
What has changed since the establishment of doctoral schools at KU Leuven?
More central and thus more efficient organisation
Increased awareness for importance of doctoral training
Larger offer in doctoral training
Growing emphasis on transferable skills
Better communication → Better attendance 9

10. Best Practice #1: Establish (a) doctoral school(s)
It gives you a new perspective
Outside your institution
Within your institution
It gives you leverage 10

11. Doctoral training programme (2007)
Truncus communis = research based components e.g. scientific publication, international conference, progress reports
Doctoral training
programme
Interdisciplinary thematic training
Min. 1 course
Competencies and skills
Optional

12. Doctoral training programme (2011)
Truncus communis = research based components e.g. scientific publication, international conference, progress reports
Interdisciplinary thematic training
Doctoral training
programme
Equivalent of 6 ECTS credits
Competencies and skills
Min. equivalent of 2 ECTS credits

13. Best Practice #2: Go slow and be flexible
Changing people’s mindsets takes time
It gives you more opportunity to find the best strategy
It gives you more opportunity to build a larger course offer
Don’t take away the PhD researcher’s responsibility 13

14. Best Practice #3: Embed skills in the doctoral programme
From the start of the PhD (even earlier)
Spread the word
Make it visible 14

15. What’s in a name? 2012: °YouReCa (Young Researchers’ Careers)
Aim of YouReCa: Offer better training to and improving the career perspectives of KU Leuven’s young researchers
3 Levels of Organisation:
Central (e.g. research co-ordination office, HR, …)
Doctoral Schools
Grassroots: initiatives by young researchers

16. Best Practice #4: Create a positive buzz
Find a catchy name for your skills programme
Work university-wide
Formulate in a positive way
Involve PhD researchers

17. Exploitation of Research: Knowledge & Technology transfer
In collaboration with the University’s Tech Transfer Office
5 day course, spread over a period of 5 months
Combination of expert seminars and hands-on training

18. Managing your PhD project
At the start of the PhD
Interactive and experience-based
In small groups

19. Preparing for a career in the innovative industry of the future
Seminar Series (6 x 2,5 hour sessions)
Guest speakers from industry (various backgrounds)
Large audience

20. Beste Practice #5: The fix is in the mix
Size & Format
Length
Timing
Speakers

21. Thank you!