This Wednesday, 21 February the open seminar on PhD studies takes place. Use this possibility to find out about the research areas and doctoral programmes, scholarship, mobility and funding, and other subjects relevant for every PhD or prospective doctoral student.
“If I had another chance, I would definitely choose scientists’ career again”, says Sigitas Tamulevičius, who has been bestowed Kaunas City Science Award last year. According to him, researcher has to be always curious, interested into to new things; it is a very creative job.
However, not all graduating from their masters’ consider the option to study further. According to experts, the drop in doctoral students’ numbers may result in decline of teachers and researchers in such crucial subjects as electrical engineering, energy and other technology fields.
Internships in best universities of the world, international conferences, summer schools and seminars contain only a fraction of possibilities provided by doctoral studies.
“PhD studies is a dynamic road full of discoveries. I am motivated not only by the possibilities to gain experience in the best institutions across the globe, or to work with international teams of professionals, but also by the feeling that I am contributing to creating wellbeing of society”, says management PhD student Neringa Gerulaitienė, who has been recently awarded KTU incentive scholarship.
She is convinced that there are more than enough possibilities for scholarships and funding, but the students have to be active themselves and to participate in national, international and university competitions. She is emphasising the role of the PhD supervisor, who not only leads and provides advice throughout 4 study years, but can also invite a doctoral student to work together in research project, related to the topic of dissertation.
One of the easiest ways to gain international experience in scientific research is Erasmus+ internship, which can become the beginning of long successful collaboration.
Also, KTU has an agreement with United Kingdom’s National Structural Integrity Research Centre, under which PhD students can undertake research for up to 3 years. All the equipment needed for research is being provided by the Centre and funded by the national funds of United Kingdom.
Vida Daudaravičienė, Doctoral Projects Manager at KTU draws attention to business’ involvement in doctoral studies. For example, in 2017, Ortho Baltic, one of the largest producers of individual orthopaedic devices in Europe, employed two KTU doctoral students.
“In industrial PhD, the dissertation topics are always related to the company’s area of activity. It is a win-win situation, as a high-tech company employs a doctoral student and ensures the transfer of his thesis results into business, and the university provides perfect study and research base”, says Daudaravičienė.
During the open seminar on PhD studies, the students, researchers and administrative staff will introduce the research areas and doctoral programmes, scholarships and funding opportunities. After the seminar the tour to Santaka Valley laboratories will take place.
More information here.
