The infrastructure provided to support research degree students at UTS is organised at two broad levels.

Firstly, research students have access to the general range of services and support activities available at University level to all students - undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and research. This includes administrative assistance, medical and personal services, careers advice and so on. Likewise, there are support mechanisms at faculty level which are provided for all students through services such as faculty student centres where students are helped with general academic and administrative matters.

In addition to these general support mechanisms and services, the University and faculties provide a second type of support which is specifically for postgraduate research students.

1. ACADEMIC ADVICE

A Supervisory Panel is established for each student, comprising the Principal Supervisor and other Advisors as appropriate. There is a minimum of two members on each Supervisory Panel. In cases where work is carried out at an external site, there is usually an External Supervisor, or Advisor.

The Roles of the Principal Supervisor are described in University Graduate School policies and the Codes of Conduct for Supervisors and Students. In summary, the Principal Supervisor is responsible for guiding the student through the stages of their research and developing the student's capacity for independent research and scholarship. The Principal Supervisor also has a role of assisting students negotiate the usual requirements which have to be met by researchers - ethics clearance, gaining access to suitable research settings and so on.

The Principal Supervisor also plays a key role in the assessments of progress which are required by the University each semester (the Progress Reports) and the Doctoral or Master’s by Thesis Assessment procedure which occurs before the end of the first year of candidature or equivalent for part-time students. This assessment is used to judge whether or not the student has the required knowledge for the work being undertaken and is likely to complete in the prescribed time.

2. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND POLICY: INFRASTRUCTURE

The University Graduate School is responsible for overall quality and effective management of a student's candidature - admission, progress, thesis examination and so on. The School is responsible for policy and quality assurance through the University Graduate School Board and its committees. It also provides an extensive program of workshops as well as individual advice to research students. The School is headed by a Dean who is a senior member of the UTS staff.

In addition to the University Graduate School support for research students, each faculty has a Responsible Academic Officer (RAO) who is accountable for overseeing all of the Faculty's research students, their welfare and the support to them. The RAO is a senior member of faculty staff and often has the title "Associate Dean". Also, each faculty has a research degrees committee and administrative staff to ensure appropriate support and the development and application of faculty academic policy and quality assurance strategies.

3. FACILITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES

In considering individual applications from potential higher degree candidates, the University Graduate School Board recognises that the circumstances and needs of students vary according to whether they are full-time or part-time; working on-campus primarily or at a site external to the University. There is also a recognition that needs for support vary substantially between disciplines and fields of practice and according to the nature of the research work being undertaken.

Nonetheless, there are certain needs which are basic for all research degree students and are to be provided regardless of the faculty of the individual candidate. The services and support a UTS research student can expect includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Information and Advice on Candidature Matters
   Each faculty has support staff responsible for assisting research students with general advice on administrative aspects of their candidature.
   The staff at the University Graduate School give general assistance also but, in addition, provide more specialised assistance, e.g. on procedures for submitting a thesis or interpretation of University Rules. The University Graduate School Website includes copies of rules, policies and procedures relating to candidature. The University Graduate School Office staff are available for in-person, mail, e-mail or phone enquiries.
   
   
2. Support for Conduct of Student Research
   The University Research Office provides seminars and individualised advice to students on the preparation of applications for ethics clearance through University and external Ethics Committees. Advice is also provided on intellectual property, commercialisation, contracts and other matters which arise in the conduct of research.
   
   
3. Student Progress
   The progress of individual students is monitored primarily through the system of six-monthly Progress Reports and the Master-by-Thesis/Doctoral Assessment procedures. Any issues or concerns of students may be raised through these processes. Reports from these activities are monitored at faculty and UGS level with follow-up action as appropriate.
   The Dean, University Graduate School, has direct responsibility for advising research students and dealing with issues raised either informally or through published complaint and grievance procedures.
   At faculty-level students have access to the nominated Responsible Academic Officer (RAO) with responsibility for the welfare of research students when they wish to raise matters outside the context of Progress Reports or the supervisory situation.
   
   
4. Information and Communication
   Within the University there are established lines of communication based on the structure of the University and faculties. Official correspondence is mailed to students at their home address.
   Research students are introduced to the University, how it is organised and the support services available through the "Research Degree Student Induction" Workshop held twice each year at the University Graduate School. Students are provided with names of key UTS personnel who have the responsibility for different aspects of research student matters. Some faculties also hold a faculty-specific orientation.
   During the year Web-based notices and flyers are distributed from the University Graduate School to students via their faculties. Faculties also keep students informed on local matters of interest via noticeboards, e-mail and so on.
   
   
5. Participation in University Decision-Making and Advice Arenas
   All formal University committees include student membership. Some specifically have positions for research degree students. These include the University Graduate School Board and the Research Students Committee of that Board. In addition there is a position specifically established for a research student member of the Academic Board.
   The University Graduate School convenes the Research Student Advisory Committee which meets four times a year, to address student matters. International students are invited to an orientation twice each year.
   Faculties and departments also include students in membership of their committees. This includes membership of Faculty Boards.
   
   
6. Library and Information Services
   The UTS Library operates a system of Liaison Librarians who are available for individual consultations and assistance in the student's research topic area and to provide guidance in the location of resources.
   Books are available on extended loan periods for research students and there is access to an inter-campus book and materials delivery service.
   UTS students may arrange reciprocal borrowing privileges at any NSW university library at a subsidised rate. Interlibrary loans for books and materials are available to research students on a free basis with no limit on the number of requests.
   Remote access to a wide range of academic literature databases, with the capacity to download and print search results or print full-text articles, is available free of charge as is access to UTS and other library catalogues from remote locations. Access to restricted license Library resources is also available from any Internet connection to students who establish a (free) ISOS account with the Library.
   
   
7. Computers
   Computing facilities provided by the University are available on-campus including after-hours. Students can choose from Apple MacIntosh, Windows NT, PCs. Software includes packages for presentations, statistical analysis, Web access. An IT Support Centre provides advice and there is access to scanning and zip drives. All students are provided with a free UTS e-mail account.
   Some faculties have general labs as well as specialist labs available to research students. Some provide portable computers and software for short-term loan. Specialist software may be made available by the student's faculty where this is essential for carrying out the research.
   
   
8. Study Space
   Each faculty has study spaces available for research students. These include shared offices and common work areas with desks, filing cabinets, bookcases and so on. Allocation of study or lab space in situations where demand exceeds supply is done according to agreed faculty procedures and priorities. For example, there may be a ballot each year or a system of priorities to ensure that final stage students have precedence in accessing certain spaces.
   
   
9. General Office Facilities
   Faculties and departments have arrangements in place regarding access to general office resources. Pigeon-holes and internal mail and phone services are provided. Access to external mail and phone services is available on the basis of individual faculty/departmental policy.
   Photocopying and printing services may be accessed within an agreed formula in faculties/departments and in consultation with Supervisors as appropriate. Stationery, including headed paper, is made available for official correspondence relating to the research project.
   
   
10. Scholarly Forums
    Participation in scholarly discussions through seminars, workshops, conferences and so on is considered an essential part of the experience of a research student. At University-level, the annual Postgraduate Research Conference is held at the University Graduate School in collaboration with the Students' Association. Faculties and departments organise seminars and student conferences which research students are invited to attend and present papers. Towards the end of their candidature doctoral students are required to present a seminar on their work for the University community.
    Financial assistance to attend conferences to present work outside the University, particularly at international conferences held either in Australia or overseas, is available on application to the Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate Student Conference Fund. Funding is on a competitive basis. Some faculties also provide funding to attend conferences.
    
    
11. Skills Development
    The University provides a range of opportunities for research candidates to develop skills which enhance their capacity to do research and make a career in research. The University Graduate School runs a comprehensive annual series of Research Student Workshops with details sent to all students. Updates are provided on the UGS Web page and via faculties.
    In addition, students may access generally available services for skills development at a range of locations. These are aimed at assisting UTS students develop generic or enabling skills, e.g. in writing, using computers, finding information and literature. Information on these activities is posted on the BELL Website and the STAR Website.
    Some faculties also provide specialist activities and workshops for their research students, especially in areas which are specific to particular disciplines, e.g. historical research, biosafety matters.
    
    
12. Career Development
    Workshops to assist research students prepare for their careers are provided through the UGS Research Student Workshop series (see above). In addition, there is a Graduate Certificate which students may elect to complete concurrently with their doctoral studies. The Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning is specifically designed to enhance career prospects of research degree graduates by preparing students to enter an academic career through a focus on the teaching and learning role of academics.
    Research students undertaking doctoral study also have access to the University's Academic Internship Scheme. This scheme is unique to UTS and is available on a competitive basis. The scheme involves gaining teaching experience, being mentored and completing the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning concurrently with completion of the research degree.
    Finally the LEAP program is designed to support the development of research students’ employment related skills.

September 2002