Guidelines for Postgraduate Coordinators
The role of Postgraduate Coordinator is not one governed by the specific Rule 10: Degree by Doctor by Research and Rule 11: Degree of Master by Research, thus it will vary between Enrolling Areas. Invariably, however, the Postgraduate Coordinator is the primary contact for postgraduate students at the Enrolling Area level. As such, you should ensure that all research students, as soon as possible after enrolment, are made aware of your role in the Enrolling Area and how this can be of assistance to them.
Index
- Administration
- Student liaison
- Important documentation
- Information pertaining to University services
Administration
You are the first point of reference for students beyond their Supervisors for problems that cannot be resolved, or for those that involve administrative details or general matters relating to education for higher degree by research students.
You contribute to the development of the research culture in your Enrolling Area by facilitating contacts between postgraduate students and staff, beyond a student's immediate Supervisor/s.
In your role you may also assist the Head of Enrolling Area, as directed, on matters relating to Admission and Enrolment, selection of Supervisors, Ethics, Intellectual Property, Candidacy, Annual Progress Reports, Leave of Absence and Examination (see the Guidelines for Heads of Enrolling Areas). Postgraduate Coordinators often take the role of Chair of the Thesis Committee, for example.
Student Liaison
As the first point of contact for postgraduate students other than their supervisors your role will involve certain tasks such as
- Making students aware of Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research and Rule 11: Degree of Master by Research and the Guidelines for research students. These guidelines cover the research degree process from admission to graduation. (See also How to apply).
- Making students aware of the essential facilities requirement with respect to the financial, physical, library and computing resources to which research students are entitled at the Enrolling Area, Faculty and University level (see the document outlining Essential Facilities);
- Ensuring that students obtain appropriate ethics clearance by assisting them in identifying the appropriate Ethics Committee/s to which they may need to submit applications for approval of their research. It is important to stress to the student that ethics approval processes can take longer than the student may expect and therefore they should submit any applications as soon as possible;
- Advising students of their responsibilities as researchers under the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. (Also see the "Universities and their Students: Principles for the Provision of Education by Australian Universities" document available from the Policies webpage which includes the Guidelines for Maintaining and Monitoring Academic Quality and Standards in Higher Degrees produced by Universities Australia);
- Liaising where necessary, on behalf of students, with the Faculty Graduate Studies Officers;
- Liaising with the staff of the library associated with your faculty to optimise the access to the library and its services and facilities by postgraduate students in your area; and
- Encouraging students to apply for scholarships and other forms of financial support from both inside and outside the University for which they may be eligible.
- Advising students of the various University services which provide assistance for specific needs, including the Curtin University Postgraduate Students' Association (CUPSA), the Part-time, External and Mature Aged Association (PEMSA), the Student Guild, University Counselling and Health Services and other potential useful contacts and help.
Important Documentation
You should be familiar with a range of documents, including Rule 10: Degree by Doctor by Research and Rule 11: Degree of Master by Research, Forms, Guidelines and University Policies, to assist students during their time at Curtin. These include, but are not exclusive to, those listed under "General Information" in the Information for Candidates section of the Guidelines for Research Students.
Note that current versions of all forms associate with the student's candidature and examination should be downloaded from the Office of Research and Development's Formswebpage as required.
Information Pertaining to University Services
As Postgraduate Coordinator you may need to assist students in locating a variety of services in and around the University. These are listed under "General Information" in the Information for candidates section of the Guidelines for research students.
