Public policy, graduate education & the 'knowledge society'
European Policy
In 2000, the European Council met to consider ways in which research could underpin a boost in European innovative capacity to help sustain its prosperity and provide new impetus to a wide range of social developments. Following these discussions the European Council announced a 'Lisbon Strategy' aimed at making the European Union the most competitive knowledge based economy in the world and achieving full employment by 2010.
Competition from the World's re-emerging economies and other challenges of the twenty-first century require Ireland and its European partners to be at the forefront of the development of innovative products, services and practices to ensure social well-being and prosperity. This necessitates increased investment in postgraduate education and research to expand our ability to absorb, generate and harness new knowledge.
The Irish Response
As part of this strategy, the Irish government aims to increase investment in research and development to 2.5 per cent of GNP by 2010. Two thirds of this new investment must come from the private sector.
In the area of higher education the Irish government's Strategy for science, technology & innovation is committed to a cumulative net increase in PhD student places, representing an increase in annual output from 730 PhD graduates in 2005 to 1,312 in 2013; a total output of 8,858 PhD graduates between 2006 and 2013. This investment in higher education will represent a significant proportion of the government's contribution to achieving 2.5 per cent of GNP in R&D by 2010.
This increase in postgraduate numbers makes essential the need to maintain quality and guarantee students are equipped with an awareness of their skills and abilities. Graduates must also demonstrate effectiveness in applying these skills in academic or non-academic employment. It is also necessary to ensure employers are similarly aware of PhD graduates' skills, abilities and experience and that students receive the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills. This is vital to ensure that the Irish economy can develop a long-term absorptive capacity for these additional PhD graduates.
The Structured PhD
Universities’ and government policy aspirations have prompted the development of what many variously refer to as graduate schools, graduate programmes or structured PhD programmes. Regardless of the preferred nomenclature, this developing PhD education will preserve the traditional elements of a PhD while providing additional support to the student through the provision of research and generic skills development opportunities. These additional opportunities will increase students’ preparedness in pursuing their subsequent careers and in completing their studies.
The anticipated benefits of more structured PhD include
- PhD education characterised by a high quality research experience supplemented by formal training in research and generic skills.
- Formal career development support and, where relevant, skills enhancement visits to partner international centres and work placements.
- High quality international students attracted to Irish PhD programmes by innovative marketing, the provision of scholarships, high quality pastoral support and the reputation of Ireland’s research community.
- Increased completion rates and quicker time to completion.
