Projects

• Doctoral studies and programmes
• Employability of BA and MA degree holders
• Non-formal and informal learning

Doctoral studies and programmes

Over the past years Universities Austria has attached great importance to the topic doctoral studies and programmes. Considering the approach of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the European Research Area (ERA), the recommendations of the European University Association (EUA) and developments within universities per se, it appeared to be of utmost importance to take position on a national level. The following position papers on future doctoral programmes in Europe were composed: Joint declaration of the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS), Austrian Rectors’ Conference and German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) (2004); Mutual statement with the ministry responsible for education and research: Doctoral Studies in Austria. National positioning in the context of European developments (2005) and Statement of the Austrian Rectors’ Conference on the international discourse on different kinds of doctorates (2006). In support of the re-organisation of doctoral studies Universities Austria developed together with the public universities recommendations for the new-style doctoral studies and programmes, which were finalised by the end of 2007 and since then have been welcomed by universities.

In the course of this project a platform will be set up in order to encourage the exchange of views among the different stakeholders who participated in introducing the new-style doctoral studies and programmes. Certain aspects of the recommendations of Universities Austria get special attention and are stressed by workshops organized by Universities Austria. In designing the concept of such workshops all universities are invited to bring in their ideas.

Activities

• Assessment of demand of universities
• Survey on national and international developments
• Linking of activities on national and European levels, e.g. with the EUA Council for Doctoral Education
• Providing assistance for all relevant stakeholders in restructuring the curricula
  (pool of contact persons etc.)
• Setting up a platform for exchange of information and ideas
• Organising 3 workshops
• Documentation of results

• 1st Workshop: International developments of new-style doctoral studies and programmes (December 9th, 2008)
• 2nd Workshop: National developments of new-style doctoral studies and programmes in Austria (May 13th, 2009)
• Conference in cooperation with the EUA: How to assure quality in new-style doctoral studies? (October 29th, 2009)