Doctoral advisors

Throughout the preparation of the doctoral dissertation, the doctoral student is guided by a doctoral advisor. Only a person authorized to supervise doctoral students may serve as a doctoral advisor; this authorization is granted by the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research.

The role of the doctoral advisor

In the process of guiding doctoral students, the doctoral advisor must perform the following functions:

• assistance in selecting or formulating the research topic;
• consultation in drafting the doctoral student’s Individual Study and Research Plan and continuous monitoring of its implementation;
• assistance in drafting the initial version of the doctoral thesis plan;
• guidance in bibliographic research;
• guidance on the most effective research methods;
• theoretical and methodological guidance in the preparation of scientific papers 1, 2, and 3;
• encouraging the doctoral student to develop intellectual autonomy and critical thinking skills;
• consultation on preparing presentations for scientific events and writing scientific articles;
• guidance in writing and editing the doctoral thesis;
• assistance with the procedures for the public defense of the doctoral thesis.

The results of doctoral students’ scientific work are monitored by the advisor throughout the year and during the annual evaluation.

The role of the advisory committee

• monitoring the progress of the doctoral thesis according to the schedule established in the doctoral student’s Individual study and research plan;
• supervising the quality of the research conducted by the doctoral student during the review of scientific papers;
• identifying and resolving any difficulties that arise during the thesis writing process;
• assessing the degree of completion of the thesis in accordance with the requirements set forth in the certification procedure;
• strengthening the relationship between the doctoral advisor and the doctoral student through the provision of counseling and mediation.

Members of the advisory committee are selected based on their interests and skills, which should complement those of the doctoral advisor; they must be available to attend scheduled meetings and must not have a conflict of interest with the advisor or other committee members.