handbook-executive-leadership-of-research-development-pdf-v10

of strengthening the shared understanding of the standards required of supervisorsand candidates. Other examples include forming supervising teams rather thanrelying on individuals; introducing viva voce examinations for all doctorates; andending long-term enrolments with strongly enforced regulations. Increasing the levelof on-time completions starts a positive cycle of improvement in a relatively short timeframe, encouraging greater efficiency and better outcomes for both students andsupervisors.Focus postgraduate research systems on support and serviceA carefully integrated and comprehensive system of support and serviceunderpinning postgraduate research programs is a hallmark of universities intenton raising their research profile. The task of the executive leader is to ensure thatavailable resources are brought together in a well-integrated support programmatched with a service culture focused on achieving the research goals of theuniversity.The provision of induction and professional learning opportunities is a major areafor investment in student development and raising the standard of supervision. Theseprograms are well established in most if not all universities and typically involve theprovision of a formal induction program for students led or co-ordinated by thecentral research office or human resources department. Universities with limitedresources are not necessarily able to fully meet the needs of research students andsupervisors in-house, and draw on multiple providers from a variety of internalsources as well as from consortia networks, partner institutions, research agenciesand authorities, and professional and disciplinary associations.These external professional learning opportunities can be highly effective; but noneis a substitute for a university-specific approach designed to guide and supportresearch students and supervisors in their endeavours. Centrally steering inductionand professional development programs to align with whole of university goals,adds significant value across a range of dimensions involved in the change agenda.A university-wide focus has the advantage of encouraging internal networks andpotential cross-disciplinary collaborative arrangements for supervision that mayultimately lead to further engagement. The consistent message from all levels ofadministrative and support services, from recruitment to graduation and beyond,82 A handbook for executive leadership of research development