External PhD-Candidates

Problems and Solutions

Mark Beumer MAChairman PON

External PhD-Candidate

An external PhD-candidate is a PhD-candidate who is writing a dissertation, but doesn’t have a contract nor isn’t a regular staff-member. However, he/she may use the facilities of the university as regular staff-member.

He/she is being guided by one or more supervisors

Introduction of the problem

External PhD-candidates may not be very visible to others at the university because they don’t have a contract.

For external PhD-candidates it may be difficult to get involved in academic activities (lectures, courses), etc.

For those external PhD-candidates that want to, it seems difficult to get socially integrated (with regular staff-members).

Solutions so far

External PhD-candidates are integrated in new policy plan.

Conversation with rector magnificus about position external PhD-candidates.

Send email to faculties for names and email addresses external PhD-candidates.

Send invitation to external PhD-candidates for newsletter PON and let them know about activities.

Make them aware of important sites like www.ru.nl/pon or www.hetpnn.nl

What else can be done?

- Survey to monitor their opinions?

- Invite them for boardmeetings, events?

- Is there registration at the university (Hora Est, etc.)?

1) Is there a separate registry of PhD candidates at your institute?

2) Did your council encounter complaints/problems with external PhD candidates? What were the problems?

3) Do your external PhD candidates have a good introduction and do they use a TSP

(TSP for time management and appointments)

4) What can we do to improve the position of external PhD- candidates?

NEW CHAIRMAN WANTED PER JULY 1!

PON is currently looking for a fresh PhD candidate to replace our current chairman Mark Beumer, who will leave on the 1st of July.

Being part of the PON board gives you the opportunity to develop your organizational skills, expand your network, learn more about the management of a university, improve the position of PhD's, and last but not least: have lots of fun.The PON board meets every two weeks. As a chairman, you are responsible for the entire organization of PON and the general meetings (with PhD councils).

Are you interested? Please let us now! Contact us by sending an e-mail to pon@ru.nl or let us know during one of our upcoming activities.