ZEF Bonn

72
ZEF Bonn ● Center for Development Research – Annual Report 2001/2002
"ZEF's doctoral program contributes
significantly to the
general reform of doctoral studies.
... One particular advantage
of the program is that the
doctoral students - in contrast
to the situation common at
German universities - are not
left alone but are instructed in
tutorials. A yet greater advantage
is the fact that the doctoral
students - coming mostly
from different disciplines - are
taught how to think in an
interdisciplinary way."
Nevertheless, deficits in knowledge transfer exist especially in Germany. Such knowledge
transfer not only calls for solid basic research, which ZEF offers without any
doubt, but also for an increasingly more offensive dissemination of ZEF's research
results through enhanced public relations work and a more active participation of
ZEF's scientists in national dialogue fora and advisory organisations.
Recommendations
The Commission emphasises that in the set-up phase till now, the consolidation of
ZEF's scientific research and the doctoral program were priority issues. With regard
to knowledge transfer at an international level, ZEF has already been highly successful.
Considering existing deficits as far as ZEF's presence in local development policy
organisations and fora is concerned, the “opening to the outside" specified in the
foundation concept of the Senate of the University of Bonn must be further emphasised
in future. ZEF's considerable scientific reputation, which is most certainly to
grow further, will facilitate its public relations assignment.
V. Doctoral Program
ZEF's doctoral program contributes significantly to the general reform of doctoral
studies. Internationality is fostered thanks to the different origins of the doctoral
students and the better compatibility with the academic systems in the United Kingdom
and the USA. One particular advantage of the program is that the doctoral students
- in contrast to the situation common at German universities - are not left
alone but are instructed in tutorials. A yet greater advantage is the fact that the
doctoral students - coming mostly from different disciplines - are taught how to
think in an interdisciplinary way. This is not only a result of the themes offered in
the obligatory courses, but also because the doctoral students live and work closely
together during the doctoral program. The talks the Commission had with the staff
and doctoral students confirmed these impressions.
The modular teaching program ensures coherence of topics and a mixture of “disciplinary
depth" and “interdisciplinary width".
ZEF's teaching staff are indisputably highly qualified. In contrast with other comparable
institutions, ZEF can invite guest scientists from abroad. Development issues
are analysed and interpreted not only from the euro-centric perspective, but also on
the basis of the experience of those involved. Here, ZEF has a great opportunity,
which it has already utilised substantially. Already at the founding stage, ZEF established
commendable linkages with similar research facilities in OECD countries and
numerous developing and transforming economies, which can be expanded in the
coming years. These networking efforts deserve great credit.
With its doctoral program, ZEF can certainly claim to be absolutely unique in the
German university landscape.