Doctoral Education in the Emerging Field of Nanomaterials by interdisciplinary programme

University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest,

Romania

www.upb.ro

Doctoral Education in the Emerging Field of

Nanomaterials – by interdisciplinary

programme

Horia IOVU

Vice-Rector/Director of Council for Doctoral Studies

EUA-CDE Thematic Workshop ‘Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programmes’

Politecnico di Torino, Italy 17-18 January 2013

University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Romania

• the largest and the oldest technical university in the country and among the most prestigious universities in Romania: ~ 24,000 students enrolled in BSc, MSc, PhD studies

•All fields of engineering are covered: electrical, mechanical, ICT, materials science, applied chemistry, etc.

•University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest welcomes foreign applicants, offering a number of 20 B.Sc. and 25 M.Sc. programs taught in English, French or German.

•full member in several academic organizations, the main ones being Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research (CESAER), International

Association of Universities (IAU), European University Association (EUA), Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) etc. However, UPB paid a special attention to bilateral cooperation agreements (around 200 agreements in 2010) with similar universities, mainly from Europe, Japan, or the United States of America

•1700 staff members from which 334 are full professors

•Excellence in education and research in Romania – classified in the top 10 universities at last assessment exercise officially did by Ministry of Education and Research in 2011

PhD studies, 3 years

Doctoral Schools

2. Power Engineering

3. Automatic Control and Computer Science

4. Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology 5. Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics

6. Engineering and Management of Technological Systems 7. Biotechnical Systems Engineering

8. Transports

9. Aerospace Engineering

10. Material Science and Engineering

11. Applied Chemistry and Materials Science 12. Applied Sciences

Council for Doctoral Studies

• decisional body at university level

•composed from the Directors of Doctoral Schools and a representative from PhD students

•financially independent

•decisions approved by the University Senate •policy maker for PhD programs

•Monitoring all the PhD programs •Building interdisciplinary programs

PhD interdisciplinary programs

• Categories:

• 1. Intraschool: within the same doctoral school PhD

programs developed by joint supervision of 2 leaders in

related fields, e.g., physical chemistry and materials

science .

• 2. Interschools: between 2 or more doctoral schools

PhD programs with joint supervision, e.g., physics and

materials science

3. Targeted PhD programs in emerging

fields of science and technology, e.g.,

medical engineering, nanotechnology

and nanomaterials.

1 and 2- developed at the initiative of

doctoral schools; jointly supervised

3- developed at institutional level as part

of strategy plan of university

developing to 2020; unique supervision

by appointed PhD interdisciplinary

Main advantages of category 3

–interdisciplinary PhD programs

STRENGTHS

A. Advanced Quality of Research done in high-tech fields at the frontiers of knowledge

B. High quality of scientific output from the doctoral studies since published papers are in high-rated journals

C. Highly attractive for best graduates who have the opportunity to develop their skills for tomorrow

Difficulties in developing category

3-interdisciplinary PhD programs

WEAKNESSES

• usually higher costs demanded for organizing the programs : more

resources needed, infrastructure, etc.

• not enough “interdisciplinary” supervisors available to lead the

programs; general routine of doing simple and classical PhD studies

is a strong enemy

•State bureaucracy in validating the PhD diploma: what field of studies

to be written on the diploma?

•Labor market not yet prepared to absorb “interdisciplinary” PhDs

since the emerging fields of science are not enough developed even

in the multinational companies

Interdisciplinary PhD programs OPPORTUNITIES

• Combination of the objectives for EHEA and ERA: training of highly skilled people through advanced interdisciplinary doctoral studies – more calls for projects launched in the frame of FP7 and future

interdisciplinary subjects in Horizon 2020

•High demand for interdisciplinary research from high-tech industry – more funds available from companies to run high quality research associated with interdisciplinary PhD studies

•Mobility grants and projects available for PhD students in an increased number which often lead to interdisciplinary studies since the “host” and the “guest” organization develop different research subjects.

However these usually lead to categories 1 and 2 of interdisciplinary programs, very rare to category 3.

Interdisciplinary PhD programs THREATS

• insufficient funding allocation from the university since “classical” PhD programs are cheaper

•Low recognition of official authorities from Ministry of Education

•“Fair” competition on the labor market between graduates of “classical” PhD programs and interdisciplinary ones

Case study: interdisciplinary PhD program in the emerging field of nanomaterials

• category 3; program established between 3 doctoral schools; •Applied Chemistry and Materials Science

•Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology •Applied Sciences (Physics)

•One appointed supervisor for each PhD student. Requirements: at least 20 published papers in interdiscplinary journals concerning the subject of

nanomaterials. 9 supervisors candidates from which 3 were appointed .

•The program started in 2009 with 5 students; 4 received the PhD degree in 2012; 11 published papers in highly quoted journals.

•Funds: allocation from the Ministry of Education in the same amount as for “classical” PhD programs; supplementary funds (~20%) allocated from own resources of the university

•Grants of excellence from the university 50% higher than for PhD students at “classical” programs.

PhD program in nanomaterials – curriculum

I. Advanced studies program (1 semester); courses:

- Advanced techniques for characterization of nanomaterials -Modern procedures used to synthesize nanomaterials

- Targeted applications of nanomaterials

Milestone 1: Exams for each course and global evaluation II. Research in nanomaterials field (5 semesters):

Milestones 2,3,4,5,6: Technical reports on the end of each semester

III. Public defense: committee formed by at least one member from each of the 3 doctoral schools (pre-condition: 2 published papers in highly quoted ISI journals)

Nanomaterials PhD program - Management Committee Include representatives from the Doctoral Schools involved

Research projects developed in a wide range of research groups which are linked together through the “Nanomaterials” PhD program:

• Advanced Polymer materials Group •Solid State/Nano Electronics

•Nanoscience Engineering Group •Biological Systems

Nanomaterials PhD program

•Main goal: Cross-disciplinary training in Physical Sciences, including Chemistry, Physics, Materials and Engineering.

•Applicants from across basic Physical Sciences and Engineering •High-level of scientific output

•Cross-collaboration between more research groups within the university

•Professional skills developed in an emerging field of science and technology •Follow-up postdoctoral program in the same field “Nanomaterials” funded by EU through structural funds from the POSDRU program