Modern doctoral education, the creation of joint research and educational initiatives, and the development of projects that will respond to the challenges of contemporary science and the labour market – these are the objectives of the cooperation agreement for the development of doctoral schools, which was signed on 9 April in the Golden Hall of the Kazimierzowski Palace on the University of Warsaw’s Main Campus. The rectors of the three universities signed the agreement: Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Prof. Alojzy Nowak of the University of Warsaw, and Prof. Piotr Jedynak of Jagiellonian University.
“I am delighted that this agreement has been signed,” said Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, during the ceremony. “The situation of PhD students in Poland remains one of the key issues affecting the functioning of the higher education and research system,” she added. Following the reform, doctoral students in doctoral schools have a separate legal status, which is neither that of a student nor that of an employee. This arrangement regulates access to scholarships, the social security system, and the scope of teaching and research duties. However, it does not include the rights enjoyed by employees under an employment contract. In practice, some doctoral students highlight issues related to the limited scope of social security provisions and the varying conditions of education across universities and disciplines. Therefore, cooperation between universities, especially the largest ones, is so crucial. This is precisely the aim of the signed agreement: to coordinate activities regarding the quality of education, research and support for doctoral students," said Prof. Kaniewska.
"Modern science requires close cooperation between universities and the creation of strong, mutually supportive academic communities. The development of doctoral schools is an investment in the future of science – both in Poland and internationally. That is why it is so essential to build partnerships that will enable young researchers to develop under the best possible conditions," emphasised Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw.
The agreement signing was accompanied by a panel discussion entitled “Doctoral education in Poland – opportunities and challenges”, attended by: Prof. Jolanta Itrich-Drabarek, Vice-President of the Łukasiewicz Research Network; Rafał Ramut, Chair of the National Doctoral Students’ Representation; and Tomasz Piotrowski, Deputy Director of the Department of Science at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The debate was moderated by Prof. Adam Niewiadomski, Vice-Rector for Doctoral and Legal Affairs at the University of Warsaw.
The meeting also featured a presentation of the working groups’ achievements and directions for further cooperation, including the development of joint programmes, initiatives such as the PhD Bridge, and measures to improve the quality of education and support young researchers.
photo by Krystian Szczęsny/UW
