University PhD Council
The University PhD Council (UPC) is a committee including representatives of PhD councils from each faculty from the TU Delft (see below).
Indeed, while many decisions are addressed within faculties, several others are managed centrally. Our goal is to be receptive of difficulties PhDs face that can be addressed at the university level, and make sure these are communicated to the relevant actors, together with possible solutions/policies. We identify common issues across faculties via our representatives from the Faculty PhD Councils (FPCs). The Graduate School often requires us to provide feedback on matters that concerns PhDs, such as Doctoral Education. Our focus is not only inside TU Delft, but also outside. We are in connection with other universities in The Netherlands through the PhD Network Netherlands (PNN).
Meet the Chair
In May 2021, I started as chair of the UPC. Right at the start of COVID, I felt like many PhDs needed additional support to get through this tough period. When I started, I met a team that is represented by all faculties with a strong motivation to strengthen the position that Delft PhD candidates have in the academic world. We identified some topics to commit ourselves to and were for instance able to improve the communication by the TU Delft regarding COVID contract extensions, prevent a new PhD contract format that would strongly reduce PhD rights, and organise social and discussion events. We do this by listening to what is going on among our fellow PhDs and giving advice to organisational bodies at the TU Delft, such as the graduate school, the works council, and the doctoral education committee.
Contacts
We mostly receive your feedback through the Faculty PhD Councils. But feel free to contact us for any reason.
