Russian Ph.D. Programs

There has been talk of increasing the period of graduate study in Russia from 3 to four years. This proposal has been justified in part due to the fact that some disciplines, such as the technical and natural sciences require mandatory experimental validation of the theoretical results.

From Inside Higher Ed:
The idea behind that proposal is that it should significantly improve the quality of dissertations and the quality of academic training. This proposal is consistent with international practice, where dissertations can take 4-5-6 years. More importantly, the current situation really needs to be improved – drop-outs are high and the average level of research associated with doctoral theses is quite low. However, many people believe that increasing program length, by itself, is unlikely to change anything, and that the problem is not too little time, but extremely poor financial support for such studies and work. Indeed, the basic post-graduate scholarship –currently about $50 a month – doesn’t allow students to focus entirely on research since they must seek some part-time or even full-time job to support themselves. The sad result is that most of PhD students devote too little attention and effort to their dissertation. Only 26% of graduate students finally submit their thesis and the quality (generally) is rather weak. Additionally, since PhD degrees are prestigious, there is a large demand for degree holders and this status is easily bought and sold. So the PhD degree does not necessarily reflect strong training or a sophisticated academic qualification anymore (This situation is most disastrous in the social sciences).

The Russian government also recently announced increases in graduate scholarships starting this September. This comes at the cost of reducing the number of graduate students.

Transitioning from Student to Faculty/Post-Doc

This article offers advice to those making the transition from graduate student to faculty member or postdoctoral fellow, based on conversations with those who have recently gone through the process. The writers of the article, Julie Miller Vick and Jennifer S. Furlong, are the authors of the book, "The Academic Job Search Handbook", an excellent reference that I highly recommend for graduate students contemplating an academic career as well as those on the job hunt.

Internationalizing Graduate Programs

This blog post has been a work in progress for some time, as more and more has been written on the topic in recent weeks, and I have found myself doing a lot of reading and thinking on the matter. At a time when the job market for new Ph.D.’s is particularly dismal, especially in the United States, there seems to be increasing attention and interest in recruiting and training international scholars, not just graduate students, but top researchers as well.

A recent article discusses the rise in the number of international students admitted to American graduate schools, according to a report recently released by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). Findings of the report are based on the most recent surveys conducted by the CGS. Interestingly, admissions offers made to international students increased by 3% in the past year, while offers to Americans fell 1%. China leads, with a 16% increase in admissions offers. While there was a 9% increase in graduate applications among American students in the survey, the number of offers remained the same at doctoral institutions, and went down 6% at master’s institutions. While the report cautions that these figures are probably not final for American students, due to late admissions, I admit I find these numbers a little disturbing, although not surprising. At Canadian universities, too, the number of international graduate students admitted continues to rise, as the number of domestic graduate students admitted decreases.

This past spring, the Government of Canada announced its first group of Canada Excellence Research Chairs. This program awards each of the chairholders- who are selected among the world’s top researchers, and their research teams, up to $10 million over seven years. The chairs’ research is to focus on the four priority areas outlined in the Government of Canada's science and technology strategy: environmental sciences and technologies; natural resources and energy; health and related life sciences and technologies; and information and communications technologies. Another recent initiative is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program, which aims to attract and retain the world’s best doctoral students. Canadian and international students are eligible to be nominated for a scholarship, which is valued at $50,000 per year for three years.

An article by Amit Chakma, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Western Ontario, discusses some of Canada’s recent initiatives to attract he world’s best researchers, and the benefits of such programs. Chakma cites the obvious benefits of recruiting the best and brightest from abroad, but claims that we should be doing even more. He only briefly acknowledges the need for similar financial incentives that would enable Canadian students to study abroad; he cites a recent study conducted by Queen’s University that found that less than 3% of Canadian undergrads venture overseas. While I suspect that number may be higher for graduate students, this is a concern. Internationalizing the academic experience is a needed change to the insularism that currently prevails. Too many students in North America are either ill-informed or not supported, due in part to issues such as faculty ignorance and cost. More initiatives like the Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program, which provides educational exchange opportunities for graduate students, faculty, professional and independent researchers, are needed.

Memorial University has recently initiated the Professional Skills Development Program for international graduate students.According to the dean of Graduate Studies, this program includes 7 weeks of workshops focusing on topics such as preparing a curriculum vitae, and job interview preparation, as well as community/service learning and networking opportunities. There are now plans to extend the program and its services to other students. Perhaps increased opportunities for Canadian graduate students to study and conduct research abroad will be a part of these services, and similar programs will be implemented at other Canadian universities.

This article emphasizes the importance of understanding different educational systems and how having that international experience can be seen as an asset when applying for academic jobs. Those advising students need to be aware of global opportunities and to share this information. While supporting international students is certainly commendable, and their recruitment is important to achieving and maintaining a sustainable workforce, I feel there is a lot left to be done to support Canadians students at both undergraduate and graduate levels of study; to make international exchange programs a more viable option for those looking to expand their cultural and educational experiences.

Preparing to Teach

An article posted today on Inside Higher Ed discusses a teaching certificate program that has been implemented at Temple University. The program is open to both current and matriculated graduate students, and is designed to supplement graduate training for those who plan or already teach at community colleges. The need for such a program arose from the realization that many instructors begin their careers with Ph.D.s and masters degrees but without teaching experience. The certificate consists of a three-credit seminar on teaching in higher education and three one-credit modules on specific topics such as assessment, diversity and inclusive teaching, and teaching with technology. San Francisco State University offers similar graduate certificates in the teaching of composition and teaching post-secondary reading.

Several universities in Canada have begun to incorporate teaching training into their educational programs. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador requires all instructors who deliver vocational training in private institutions to complete the Post-Secondary Instructors Certificate. The Faculty of Education at Memorial University also offers two diploma programs in adult teacher education and post-secondary education. As well, the School of Graduate Studies offers the Graduate Program in Teaching (GPT) and Teaching Opportunities for Graduate Students (TOGA). The Centre for Leadership in Learning (CLL) at McMaster University offers teaching support for students, teaching assistants and faculty, including Education 750, a course that graduate students can complete as part of their program and receive full credit.

The importance of such graduate teaching programs has become apparent as far too many applicants vie for too few academic positions, and many new graduates turn to community colleges or smaller institutions for teaching employment. More can certainly be done, however, in preparing graduate students for teaching at the college/university level, easing the transition from student to teacher, and helping longtime instructors with new teaching technologies.

Actor Chooses Ph.D. Over Career

American actor James Franco has been accepted to Yale University to pursue a Ph.D. in English. Apparently, he claims that education is his true passion, and he has chosen this path despite a successful acting career. Franco's latest film is Eat Pray Love, starring Julia Roberts and based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert. He received a MFA from Columbia,completed an undergraduate degree from UCLA, and also studied film at NYU.

Preparing Future Scholars

According to News at Princeton, Fourteen undergraduate students are currently taking part in the Princeton Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (PSURE), a program offered through the university's Graduate School for students interested in pursuing doctoral studies. The eight-week program matches students with faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students who mentor them on research projects. Applications from socioeconomically disadvantaged students, as well as those from liberal arts colleges are encouraged. In addition, PSURE students also attend lectures, take part in discussions and other activities about graduate school, including workshops on the application process, financial aid and the Graduate Record Examination(GRE).