Secretary: Julie Poulton
Research Student Administrative Office
The University of Greenwich at Medway, Room B01
Tel: 43030 Fax: 43738
email: J.Poulton@gre.ac.uk
DRAFT
ACADEMIC COUNCIL
RESEARCH DEGREES COMMITTEE
Summary Minutes of the 5th (‘wrap-up’) meeting held in 2005 on Monday 25th
July 2005 at 12.30p.m. Room 130, Pembroke Building, The University of
Greenwich at Medway
Present:
Professor A Westby – Meeting Chair (NRI)
Miss J Poulton – Secretary (Research Student
Administrative Office)
Dr S Corlett (Medway School of Pharmacy)
Professor R Corney (Health and Social Care)
Professor D Isaac (Architecture and Construction)
Dr J Jameson (Education and Training)
Professor J McDonnell (Business)
Professor S Palmer (GMI)
Professor K Pericleous (CMS)
Mrs L Spencer (Office of Student Affairs)
In attendance:
Dr M McGibbon (Science) – item 5.3.10
05/5.1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs A Devine (Office of Student Affairs)
Dr J Dunne (Humanities)
Professor P Harvey (Science)
Professor R Hayward (Architecture and Construction)
Professor J Humphreys (Pro Vice-Chancellor)
Professor C Mackie (Medway School of Pharmacy)
Dr G Manby (Science)
Professor J Nicholson (Science)
Professor A Reed (Engineering)
Professor M Snowden (Science)
Dr J Williams (Humanities)
Dr S Woodhead (Engineering)
05/5.2 MINUTES OF THE 4th MEETING HELD IN 2005 ON 22nd JUNE
5.2.1
The minutes were recorded as an accurate transcript of the proceedings.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS
05/5.3 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 4th MEETING HELD ON 22nd JUNE/
DEFERRED ITEMS
2 applications for approval of PhD examination arrangements was approved.
1 application for MPhil/PhD registration was approved.
1 application for EdD - Thesis component of a Professional Doctorate
registration was approved.
2 applications for MPhil to PhD transfer was approved.
1 request for interruption to registration was approved.
5.3.1
Minute 4.3.1 Status of students supervised by Professor Silver: It
was noted by the Committee that the Secretary had provided Professor
Silver with a list of research students the RSAO believe him to be
supervising. The list was sent with a memo requesting him to look at
the data to see if it reflected an accurate account and to inform the
RSAO if it did not. It was noted that a response had not been received
and that this matter would now be forwarded to the School of Science’s
RDC for a decision to be made with regard to appropriate action.
5.3.4
Minute 4.3.6 Secretary to draft a memo from the Chair to
Directors of Research to request that they do not sign off research
degree forms which are inconsistent with the Academic
Regulations. The Committee noted that the Secretary had sent a
memo to the Directors of Research.
5.3.10 Minute 4.11 CENTRE FOR CONTAMINATED LAND AND
REMEDIATION. The Committee referred to the report prepared by
Mrs Devine with regard to progress of students studying for research
degrees allied to the Centre for Contaminated Land Remediation. It
was noted that, in the Secretary’s absence, the incorrect report on this
matter had been received by the Committee at the last meeting. Dr
McGibbon confirmed that the report prepared by Mrs Devine includes
the most accurate data for the Centre and the information should be
viewed as independent and objective as it can be. The Committee
recommended that this report should be forwarded to the first School of
Science’s RDC meeting for a decision to be made with regard to when
the Centre will be in a position to accept new research students. It was
noted that Professor Palmer has accepted a new MPhil/PhD student
with a member of staff from the Centre as second supervisor, but as the
student will be registered with GMI, it was thought that this would not
be problematic.
5.3.11 Minute 4.13.1 Research Progress Reports (RD4a): The Committee
referred to the summary tabulation. It was noted that as a result of
<student> comments with regard to a lack of courses aimed to provide
research students with further skills for the professional life after
completing a PhD, he was invited to and attended the workshop on Key
Skills. With regard to the comments made by <student>, it was
recommended that Dr Woodhead follow this up.
ACTION:
Secretary to draw Dr Woodhead’s attention to the
comments made by <student>.
NEW BUSINESS
05/5.4 APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION
1 application for MPhil/PhD registration was approved.
1 application for MPhil/PhD registration was not approved.
05/5.5 APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF EXAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS
TRANSACTED BY CHAIR’S ACTION (TO NOTE)
1 application for Masters by Research examination arrangements transacted by
Chair’s Action was noted.
05/5.6 CONFIRMATION OF RECOMMENDATION OF EXAMINERS (TO BE
TABLED)
2 Phds were ratified.
1 PhD was not ratified.
05/5.7 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
5.7.1
List of research students with outstanding registration issues: The
Committee referred to the list of students with outstanding registration
issues. Mrs Spencer informed the Committee that if students fail to reregister each academic year of their study they are automatically
withdrawn from Banner. It is therefore essential that research students
re-register annually and especially now that on-line re-registration is to
be introduced. Letters and emails have been sent to research students
with outstanding registration issues.
Tabled items:
1 request for a video-conference examination was approved by the Committee,
subject to agreement from the external examiner, and an extension to
registration was granted should this not be possible.
1 request for extension to registration was approved.
Professor Westby reported that this was the last meeting of the Research
Degrees Committee and, on behalf of Professor Humphreys, thanked the
members for their dedication and commitment in ensuring the smooth
progression of research degrees. The management of research degrees will
now be devolved to local/School Research Degree Committees.