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Graduate Centre

Responsibilities of the University

The responsibilities of the University include ensuring  that:

1. there are clearly specified entry standards and procedures regardless of discipline, and that these standards and procedures are applied;
2. each candidate has written guidelines concerning University postgraduate policies/procedures, including safety, research ethics, intellectual property, resource allocation, equal opportunity and equity, and grievances and appeals;
3. each candidate is provided with a University Induction programme in first semester, to clarify University procedures and policies, and to review the expectations of new candidates and staff;
4. access to physical facilities and resources at University level, including library and academic service facilities, is made clear to students from the start of candidature;
5. the status of intellectual property arising from the work of students as part of their candidature is specified as early as possible;
6. following advice from the supervisor, senior academic and Dean, the Board considers a candidate’s programme of study for approval, normally during the first semester of the candidate’s enrolment;
7. there are reporting and review requirements via, at a minimum, an annual Progress Report to be completed by the student, supervisor, senior academic and Faculty Dean, monitored by the Research Degrees and Scholarships Committee for the Research and Development Board;
8. there are explicit grievance procedures by which either the student or supervisor may proceed to resolve difficulties where appropriate;
9. there are explicit procedures for the examination process, including an appeals procedure against decisions by the Research and Development Board;
10. supervisors are encouraged to participate in supervision training activities provided within the Faculty and the University;
11. the Research Degrees and Scholarships Committee fosters postgraduate research within the University, and provides relevant advice to the Research and Development Board;
12. the Postgraduate Supervision Feedback form is administered annually by the Graduate Centre to monitor student views on the quality of supervision and resources, as a basis for recommendations to the Research Degrees and Scholarships Committee;
13. the Research and Development Board develops and reviews policies for postgraduate research, with regular consultation with student representatives, for the attention of Faculty, Academic Council and Senate;
14. the Graduate Centre maintains the capacity to administer research higher degree candidature efficiently and effectively, and to provide helpful advice to all research students.