International
The Voice of PhD Candidates A bursary system will weaken the position of PhDs as employees, and will harm the continuity of the university. Victor de Graaff opposes its introduction and is determined to make the voice of all PhDs heard: He stands as a candidate for the University Council.
nal financing more proactively, if something needs to change. ‘But cutting in time, money and especially employment conditions is not a sustainable solution.’ Another hot topic is the tendency to complete
TeXt: Mariska Roersen | Photo: Gijs van Ouwerkerk >
dissertations in 3 years, instead of 4. PhDs are the backbone of our university. But who
‘I believe that this is an inescapable real-
In his position as secretary at the PhD Network
are they? Every month, we introduce another PhD
ity. The phenomenon is EU-wide, we cannot
of the University of Twente (P-NUT), Victor is
candidate to you. This month: Victor de Graaff, PhD
avoid this change.’ There are trends to create
already active in connecting, representing and
Candidate Database Technology, P-NUT secretary, and
research masters to compensate for shorter
informing his peers. But now he would like to
running for University Council.
PhD programmes, but Victor is critical about
take it to the next level: to the University Coun-
that: ‘Such a construction will take away a
cil. He stresses the importance of this group to
year’s salary from the person in question. I am
our university, by illustrating the hypothetical
opt for a business rather than an academic
more confident in strict planning and making
situation when there would be no PhDs: ‘There
career, should the bursary system be intro-
clear arrangements.’
would be less papers now, aging of the lectur-
duced. ‘The gap between company and uni-
ers after 5 years, and a deficit of lecturers in 10
versity positions will simply become too big’,
Having guts
years. Not to mention the lack of top research-
he explains. ‘We have worked so hard for the
Victor would be proud to represent PhDs in
ers. You need to have a broad basis to create top
recognition of doctoral candidates as employ-
University Council. ‘There are more than 700
research.’
ees, we should build upon that accomplish-
doctoral candidates at the UT. When decisions
ment rather than destroy it.’
need to be made, we are a big enough group
According to him, people who want to obtain
to be taken into account. The university offers
a PhD position could perhaps look for exter-
sufficient possibilities for that, but we need
Recognition as employees Victor fears that especially Dutch people will
to take those opportunities to make ourselves heard.’ Generally though, he does feel that the group is taken seriously. ‘Twente Graduate School, for example, approaches us regularly. We appreciate the dialog.’ Of course, Victor is also engaged with the interests of other groups at the university. ‘Exciting changes are taking place. There is a reorganisation, a new educational model will be implemented, and the binding study advice system will be applied. These are all fundamental modifications. I find it very important that evaluations are given due consideration. That people will also have the guts to reverse decisions, if necessary.’
Monthly get-togethers So, now we know the points of view that Victor is ready to defend. But how can people make themselves heard through him? ‘It goes without saying that I will remain active within P-NUT,’ he assures. ‘We have monthly informal get-togethers, and monthly meetings with the board. I believe there are many occasions to exchange ideas and suggestions.’ | Elections for University Council are 4-8 June.
42 UT NIEUWS 04|2012