FORM Bursary Training and Supervision Plan
Surname and first names:
Date of birth :
Faculty:Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Research group:
Research Institute:Groningen Biomolecular Sciences &
Biotechnology Institute
Start date:
End date:4 years after the starting date
Title researchproject:
…….. add title research project ……
Short description of the researchproject:
…….. add abstract or summary of the research project ……
Work plan /timeline:
- Year 1:……fill in………………………………….
A more detailed workplan of the first year is added in the appendix.
- Year 2: ……fill in………………………………….
- Year 3: ……fill in………………………………….
- Year 4: ……fill in………………………………….
The project will be concluded with the completion of remaining experimental work, writing of the thesis chapters and completion of the thesis manuscript.
Global description of duties of the Bursary student
The bursary student will be involved for at least 80% of the time in the research that is shortly outlined above. At most 20% of the time will be used for training (scientific courses, masterclasses, soft skills, etc.) in order to improve the individual and professional skills of the bursary student.
Intended educational elements related to the described thesis project:
The bursary student participates in the GBB training program[1]. This involves at least:
▪ GBB Introductory course
▪ Annual GBB symposia
▪ Meetings of the research group, the cluster(s) …add appropriate cluster(s) …… and if applicable …… add appropriate organization …..
▪ National meetings of a Dutch Society of a fitting discipline.
▪ GBB course on Dynamic Presentation
▪ Participation in at least 1 international congress
▪ Participation in at least 1 GBB masterclass
▪ ….. add more if applicable …………..
Bursary students do not have teaching obligations. GBB, however, recommends bursary students to supervise undergraduate students during their thesis research projects if these projects are closely related to the Ph.D. study of the bursary student and will add to the progress of the conducted Ph.D.study.
Supervision
The bursary student is entitled to supervision from his/her thesis director. If applicable a senior researcher (e.g. associate professor, postdoctoral fellow) of the research group may be appointed as daily supervisor. The supervision includes: preparation of a work plan (e.g. before the appointment is realized) for the first year of the research project, regular discussions concerning the progress of the research, help with determining an appropriate training program and supervision with the completion of the Ph.D. thesis.The thesis director acts as the overall supervisor and is responsible for the scientific content and quality of the research project. The thesis director and the bursary student discuss opportunities to improve individual professional skills and, together with the direct supervisor, undertake such action necessary to improve these skills.
Minimum number of hours per month during which the supervisor(s) will discuss the progress of the research and further activities with the bursary student:
Daily supervisor: …………………………minimal contact hrs/week: 4
Thesis director: Prof. Dr...... minimal contact hrs/month: 4
The task of the Supervision Committee is to monitor the progress of the project in order to ensure that the bursary student is able to complete the Ph.D. program successfully within 4 years. The Supervision Committee will help to avoid unnecessary delay(s) or unwanted diversions and to advise the thesis director and the bursary student about planning and finishing the project. The member(s) of the Supervision Committee is(are) to be selected by the GBB Coordinating Office.
Name 1st member Supervision Committee: Propose staff member 1
Research group: add research group (GBB, other?)
Name 2nd member Supervision Committee: Propose staff member 2
Research group: add research group (GBB, other?)
Obligations for bursary students regarding reporting and assessment of research and training results
Throughout the Ph.D. project several obligatory reports on the progress of the research and training achieved needs to be prepared by the bursary student. These reports will be discussed with his/her daily supervisor, the thesis director and if applicable the Supervision Committee that is installed. The different evaluation and progress meetings are scheduled as following:
a. After 6 months: 1stevaluation; Initiative daily supervisor and / or thesis director.
After 1 year, the bursary student, the direct supervisor (if applicable) and the thesis director will evaluate the first year of the Ph.D. project. The bursary student prepares a short report (max. 2 pages), reviewing the progress of the research project and the acquired training. During the interview issues relevant to performance and research will be discussed. A short report will contain recommendations concerning the continuation of the Ph.D. project or actions needed to improve individual skills and performance in order to make a decision upon continuation (see under b). Note: A negative evaluation may lead to either termination of thisagreement or to recommendations for further actions needed to improve individual skills and/or performance. The report will be used in the 2ndevaluation (under b) to see whether appropriate measures were taken.
b. After 12 months: 2nd evaluation; Initiative daily supervisor and / or thesis director.
After 1 year, the bursary student, the direct supervisor (if applicable) and the thesis director will conclude the evaluation of the first period of the Ph.D. project. The bursary student prepares a short report (max. 2 pages), reviewing the progress of the research project and the acquired training. During the interview issues relevant to performance and research as reported on earlier will be discussed. The achievements with respect to recommendations reported in the evaluation interview (under a) will also be assessed. A report of the interview will contain a recommendation concerning the continuation of the Ph.D. project and if applicable remaining actions needed to further improve skills and performance. Note:A negative evaluation may lead to either termination of thisagreement.The report may be used in the 1st progress meeting (under c) to see whether appropriate measures were taken.
c. After about 24 months: Ph.D. Progress meeting I; Initiative: GBB Coordinating Office.
At least one week before this meeting the bursary student will provide a concise progress report (2 – 4 pages), according to the guidelines[2] supplied by the GBB Coordinating Office, which is approved by the thesis director and/or the direct supervisor. This report will present the results of the first research period and describe further research plans. It also includes an overview of the activities in view of training and supervision. The report will be distributed to the members of the Supervision Committee via the GBB Coordinating Office. A presentation by the bursary student will take place in front of the Supervision Committee and the Supervision Committee will evaluate and discuss the progress of the project and the planned actions to complete the project. The committee will also advise the bursary student, the direct supervisor and the thesis director regarding any action necessary to finalize the thesis within 4 years. The outcome of the meeting is reported by the one of the participants and filed at the GBB Coordinating Office; in general the scientific coordinator of GBB mediates and chairs the meeting.The report will be used in the 2nd progress meeting (under d) to see whether appropriate measures were taken.
d. After 34-38 months: Ph.D. Progress meeting II; Initiative: GBB Coordinating Office.
The bursary student will again present his/her progress and work plan to the Supervision Committee based on a concise report (2-4 pages). At least one week before this meeting the bursary student will provide a progress report (see under c), reviewing the results of approximately the first 3 years of research and describing the work plan for the final year.The Supervision Committee will evaluate the progress of the project and the planned activities to complete the project timely. If it is clear that the thesis cannot be delivered in time an appropriate solution will be sought in cooperation with the Supervision Committee, the direct supervisor and the thesis director. The outcome of the meeting is reported by the one of the participants and filed at the GBB Coordinating Office; in general the scientific coordinator of GBB mediates and chairs the meeting. If necessary a third progress meeting will be planned.
e. Within 46 months: Ph.D. Progress meeting III; initiative: GBB Coordinating Office or in request of the bursary student, direct supervisor or thesis director.
After 48 months a date of the Ph.D. defence (NL: Promotiedatum) should have been set. In the case that this has not been achieved and the thesis has not yet been delivered to the thesis review committee (NL: Leescommissie), the following steps will be taken. An additional meeting will be held with the bursary student, the thesis director, the direct supervisor, and eventually the Supervision Committee. In this meeting a concise work plan formulated by the thesis director and the bursary student will be discussed. This plan must clearly and precisely indicate how and when the thesis will be completed. It will be distributed to the members of the Supervision Committee via the GBB Coordinating Office. A report of this meeting will be made by the scientific coordinator of GBB and will be delivered to the director of GBB in case completion of the thesis is not feasible. The director of the GBB will then take any steps necessary to ensure the quick completion of the thesis.
Evaluations
As part of the aforementioned progress reports, the performance and progress of the bursary student are judged by the thesis director and the daily supervisor. In the first two years this judgement will primarily be based on individual competences in view of the progress and results obtained, including actions undertaken to make necessary improvements, and the forecast to conclude the study successfully with a thesis that meets the qualifications of the Faculty.Note: A negative evaluation may lead to either termination of this agreement (see also earlier).
Adjustment of Training and Supervision plan
Changes to the work plan or this Training and Supervision Plan can take place on basis of the evaluation interview, the appraisal interview(s) or as a result of the progress meetings with the Supervision Committee. The alterations should be noted in writing on this form or included in the progress report, which should be attached to this form. For a completely changed Ph.D. project a copy of the work plan of the new project must be sent to the GBB Coordinating Office.
Certificate
At the termination of the appointment and successful wrapping up of the thesis and training elements, the bursary student will receive a certificate from GBB to confirm that the Training program has been completed and mentioning the most relevant training elements. The bursary student should follow the instructions of the GBB Ph.D. Training Program1 to have all training activities registered properly.
Adviser ("mentor")
With respect to any questions concerning the legal status, supervision or other (private) issues, the bursary student can contact the scientific coordinator of GBB, who acts as adviser and mentor for all bursary students at GBB. All matter will primarily be discussed in private and kept confidential until both the bursary student and mentor agree to consult other persons.
Name of the Adviser:Dr. E.G. Vrieling (GBB Coordinating Office)
Signatures
The undersigned agree with the implementation of this Bursary Training and Supervision Plan.
…………………………date:
(Bursary student)
Prof.dr. ……………date:
(Thesis director)
…………………………date:
(Direct / daily supervisor)
Prof.dr L. Dijkhuizendate:
(Director GBB
Enclosures
Add Annex 1:detailed project proposal
Add Annex 2:concise work plan for the first year
Bursary training and supervision plan GBB formatted Version II, March 2008
[1]Every GBB Ph.D. student will either receive a hardcopy of the GBB Ph.D. Training Program or he/she can download it from the GBB website; in this program details on various courses and credit points are described
[2]The guidelines for preparing the progress report are provided with the call to prepare for the progress meeting.