Academic Requirements
Professional Development Course for RPgs
In today’s competitive employment environment for research postgraduates (RPgs), academic knowledge is only one part of the equation. For success, a full package comprising sound general knowledge, research & professional skills and an innovative mindset, along with self-management ability, is required. To build such all-round capabilities, the University has introduced Professional Development Courses (PDCs) to equip our MPhil and PhD students with a comprehensive set of essential transferable skills to enhance their personal growth and career development.
All RPgs (both full-time and part-time) are required to take two PDCs as part of their program requirements.
University-level Professional Development Course
The University-level PDC, PDEV 6770 Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students, is composed of a series of workshops and modules that must be attended over the course before completion of RPg studies.
Course Requirement
For RPg students admitted before Spring 2021/22:
- 3 hours of training on Professional Conduct; and
- A minimum of 12 hours of elective activities/workshops at the University level under the following five designated themes:
For RPg students admitted in Spring 2021/22 and thereafter:
- 3 hours of online modules on Professional Conduct to be completed in the first year of studies; and
- 12 hours of activities covering 1 hour of mandatory training on prevention of sexual harassment and various electives under the following five designated themes:
Integrity and high ethical standards are key to earning the credibility and respect of peers and the public. In turn, such conduct translates into better opportunities for research collaboration and funding support. Adherence to a high standard of research ethics is crucial for your studies and career. In this part of the program, awareness and sensitivity toward ethical considerations are studied and discussed.
For RPg students admitted before Spring 2021/22:
Various elective activities are available for student enrolment.
For RPg students admitted in Spring 2021/22 and thereafter:
Students are required to take a 3-hour online course known as Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Basic offered by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) in the first year of studies. Please refer to the CITI Program User Guide for registration details.
The ability and assurance to communicate verbally and in writing with different audiences is essential for today’s research students and graduates. Such skills ensure clear and effective delivery of pedagogy, classroom management and interaction; enhance discussions with peers and professors to conceptualize questions for research studies; enable articulation of original results to people both inside and outside your field of study; and build trust when liaising with stakeholders and project sponsors.
Research competency development involves core training on the necessary and important skills for conducting graduate research and also for pursuing career in academia after graduation. Training topics span from literature search to research publishing matters, from basic research tools to research management tips. As a whole this theme offers useful tips for students to prepare and best showcase their research.
Having the understanding and confidence to start your own business can enable you to translate your research into new products and services to advance people’s way of life. At HKUST, we place emphasis on support and training that inspires students to explore their potential, encourages the development of original ideas, and fosters a proactive entrepreneurial spirit. Talks on innovation, entrepreneurship, technology start-ups, entrepreneurship workshops, and expert advice are among the practical opportunities offered to boost your entrepreneurial skills and mindset.
Everyone has a different mix of personal and professional goals to fulfill; finding the proper work-life balance that can successfully integrate these needs is essential. These activities help you learn how such a balance enhances productivity, motivation, and quality of life, and how healthy eating, sleep, exercise, and stress management can assist in achieving this.
To raise students’ awareness about behaviors that may constitute unlawful sexual harassment on campus under the Sex Discrimination Ordiance, training on preventing sexual harassment will also be provided.
For RPg students admitted before Spring 2021/22:
Various elective activities are available for student enrolment.
For RPg students admitted in Spring 2021/22 and thereafter:
Students are required to take a 1-hour mandatory training on preventing sexual harassment offered by the Equal Opportunities Commission in their first year of studies. Students may also enrol in other activities as appropriate.
Career development workshops are specially designed to empower you to prepare for careers in and out of academia. These activities enable you to find out more about what future employers are looking for, and allow you to start planning at an early stage.
PDC System
The PDC administration system has been designed to help students enroll in PDC activities. The system allows students to enquire what activities will be offered, and when and for which they have already registered. It also maintains a list of the activities that students have already completed.
Students can, through the PDC system:
- View their PDC requirements,
- Enroll in PDC activities, and
- Track their progress in fulfilling the PDC requirements for their program.
The PDC system can be accessed via Student Intranet. First-time users can refer to the Student User Guide for technical details.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Basic under CITI Program
(For RPg students admitted in Spring 2021/22 and thereafter)
RCR Basic includes a series of online training modules which cover core norms, principles, regulations and rules governing the practice of research. Students can enrol in the course and track the module completion progress through the CITI Program website.
Please refer to the CITI Program User Guide before conducting the online modules.
Discipline-specific Professional Development Course
To further prepare RPg students to excel in their future career, Schools/IPO have introduced discipline-specific PDCs to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for the development and advancement of their professional career inside and outside academia. In general, the course comprises at least 13 hours of activities in the form of workshops or seminars delivered by faculty members, guest speakers, or service units of the University.
Students should refer to the Postgraduate Program Catalog for the specific program curriculum, and the PDC system for the course requirements of their own intake cohort. Enquiries can be directed to the relevant department or program office.
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