The University of Malta has set up a Doctoral School to provide a central coordinating and support framework for its doctoral researchers and supervisory teams. The school’s office is at Students House on the University’s Msida campus.

While doctoral researchers will be registered with their respective faculty, institute, centre or school, the Doctoral School aims to provide them additional support, including skills required for their professional development. It will develop cross-disciplinary training courses and workshops to nurture skills suited to the researchers’ career path, related to communication, career management, research and valorisation, and leadership and efficiency.

Addressing a meeting during the launch of the Doctoral School, its director, Prof. Nicholas Vella, said the school had set up a web portal to better guide both prospective applicants as well as current researchers on matters pertinent to them, such as the process of working towards graduation, where to find adequate research tools and resources, and information about fees, funding and scholarships. He added that the school will seek to promote and facilitate widespread dissemination of the University’s doctoral research at different levels of public engagement.

The meeting was also addressed by rector Prof. Alfred Vella who said the school will seek excellence in all aspects of doctoral education and training and will work with different stakeholders to ensure that researchers are responsive to national and international needs and developments.

The school’s Doctoral Academic Committee will take over the scope and functions of the previous Ph.D Committee.

www.um.edu.mt/doctoralschool