June 22, 2016

Higher Degree Research Review report released

The University of Wollongong has today released its Higher Degree Research (HDR) Lifecycle Review, which has affirmed the strength of its HDR framework and recommended opportunities to improve supervisor support, progress reporting and administration.

The report is the result of a thorough benchmarking review commissioned by UOW Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings CBE, in January this year into: “the various steps associated with the admittance of students to UOW HDR programs, their supervision, training, progress reports, timeliness, examination and awards.” 

The review, conducted by a working group comprised of internal and external members, benchmarked UOW against several similar sized universities and consulted with staff and students.

The review found UOW’s current HDR framework, policies, procedures and guidelines to be comparable to those of the benchmarked institutions and its policy positions to be at least as stringent as, or in some cases more stringent than, the benchmarked universities.

With several of UOW’s HDR policies already undergoing review and renewal, the report has recommended the renewed documents be more clearly written and aligned with the Higher Education Threshold Standards.

The report also recommended greater professional development for supervisors, more rigorous annual progress reporting and streamlined administration.

In accepting the report, Professor Wellings described it as a positive improvement step for UOW.

“I’m pleased that our standards have been shown to be as high, or higher, than the benchmarked universities.

“UOW is committed to continual improvement. This review has identified positive improvements we can make to how we manage higher degree research and we will implement all recommendations,” Professor Wellings said.

In 2015, UOW had 1709 HDR students, graduated 228 doctorates and awarded 422 PhD scholarships.

Editor’s note: 

The HDR Lifecycle Review Findings Report is available for download. See the 'documents' link in the Media Assets box below.

(Release updated with new report download link on 2 November 2020 to rectify broken link due to content management system update.)