Project regulations
PROJECT REGULATIONS
“Establishment and Implementation of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English at the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University”
§ 1
General provisions
- The Regulations specify the principles of recruitment and participation in tuition-free courses within the framework of the project no. POWR.03.02.00-00-I019/16 “Establishment and Implementation of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English at the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University”.
- The project is co-financed by the European Union (EU) from the resources of the European Social Fund under the Operational Program Knowledge – Development Education 2014-2020.
- Duration of the project: from 2 July 2018 to 30 June 2023 r.
- Project office: Dział Projektów i Współpracy Międzynarodowej CM (Department of Projects and International Cooperation CM), ul. Jagiellońska 13-15, 85-067 Bydgoszcz.
- Project implementation and location: Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, in Bydgoszcz.
§ 2
Glossary of terms
Whenever reference is made to:
Project – it means “Establishment and Implementation of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English at the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University”, under the Knowledge – Development Education Operational Program 2014-2020, Measure 3.2 Doctoral studies.
Beneficiary – it denotes Nicoalus Copernicus University in Toruń.
Participant – means a graduate/employee of a higher education institution holding an MA degree (or equivalent) obtained after graduating from any field of study, continuing 3rd degree studies at the Faculty of Medicine Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University. “Participants” of the Project may also mean persons who have not completed their second degree studies, but hold the so-called “Diamond Grant”.
Tutorials – these should be understood as all forms of instruction in the Project.
Project Office – this is to be understood as the Department of Projects and International Cooperation CM UMK.
Project Coordinator – it means a person who coordinates, supervises and manages the Project, plans, coordinates the tasks of the team, supervises proper Project implementation in accordance with pertinent material and financial schedule.
CM UMK – Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, in Bydgoszcz.
§ 3
Project objectives and program, organisational provisions
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- The aim of the Project is the “Establishment and Implementation of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English at the Faculty of Medicine (WL), Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University (CM UMK)”. Thanks to the Project, it is also expected that the quality and effectiveness of doctoral studies at WL CM UMK shall improve significantly.
- The scope of activities and tasks within the Project:
- the development of an interdisciplinary and international training program for the 3rd degree studies,
- implementation of the new curriculum for the 3rd degree studies,
- improving doctoral support through group supervision,
- implementation of the program for awarding research grants for doctoral students, pursuant to the rules stipulated in Appendix 1 to the Regulations,
- participation of doctoral students in scientific conferences, pursuant to the rules given in Appendix 2 to the Regulations,
- participation of doctoral students in training and traineeships/internships, pursuant to the rules stipulated in Appendix 3 to the Regulations,
- awarding research scholarship, pursuant to the rules stipulated in Appendix 4 to the Regulations.
- The Tutorials under the program shall be both elective and obligatory. Tutorials shall be conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, laboratories and workshops under 6 basic modules:
- biological
- diagnostic
- genetic
- medical
- socio-economic
- statistical
The total number of teaching hours is specified in Appendix 5 to the Regulations.
- The Project shall grant support to 15 Participants, 8 female and 7 male doctoral students, provided that they shall express their wish to participate.
- The language of instructions during the Tutorials under the Project shall be English.
§ 4
Recruitment process
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- Recruitment for the Project shall be held from 02.07.2018 to 10.09.2018:
- Stage I – online registration – from 02.07.2018 until 1.00 p.m on 17.08.2018.
- Stage II – submitting application documents – from 02.07.2018 until 3.00 p.m. on 17.08.2018.
- Stage III – selection procedure – from 03.09.2018 to 07.09.2018.
- Stage IV – notice of results – 10.09.2018.
- Stage V – signing contracts and declarations with the candidates selected by the Committee – 17-21.09.2018.
- The Call for Participants shall take place on the basis of the submitted set of application documents:
- application form including CV and a letter of intent (verification: interview)
- a personal questionnaire and a declaration to participate
- documents confirming the status of a graduate of a higher education college/university (postgraduate studies, or equivalent) or obtaining a Diamond Grant (verification: university degree/grant certificate)
- documents confirming the command of English at a minimum intermediate level (verification: interview in English and/or submitting relevant diplomas – the list of documents confirming the command of English is enclosed as Appendix No. 7 to the Regulations)
- additionally – a working subject of the doctoral thesis with the consent of its future supervisor, a description of research interest, academic recommendation letters from the previous period of study, evidence of academic achievements to date (list of publications, participation in conferences, etc.)
- Foreign students may access the recruitment process under the provisions stipulated by Regulation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of 12 October 2006 on foreigners taking up and pursuing academic study in the field of science and technology, their participation in scientific research and development (Journal of Laws 2006 No 190, item 1406).
- Applications received after the deadline shall not be considered for selection. Incomplete or deficient applications shall be supplemented by the Participant upon request within the time limit specified in the notice. Applications not supplemented within the prescribed time limit, shall not be considered.
- Templates of recruitment documents shall be made available on the website of the Faculty of Medicine under the following bookmark: Project “Establishment and Implementation of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English at the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University”.
- Application documents must be delivered in person or by post to: Dziekanat Wydziału Lekarskiego (Dean’s Office, Faculty of Medicine), Jagiellońska 13 85-067 Bydgoszcz (building A, 2nd floor, room 9). The deadline is considered met as per receipt mark/receipt stamp obtained at the Dean’s Office at the Faculty of Medicine.
- Formal verification of the applications shall be carried out by the Recruitment Committee.
- Publication of results. The Recruitment Committee creates a ranking list on the basis of the results obtained by all the candidates taking part in the recruitment process. Candidates shall be listed in order of their highest to lowest performance. On the basis of the ranking list, within the number of places provided, the Recruitment Committee creates a shortlist of the candidates qualified for the Project. In case several candidates who passed the recruitment process choose the same subject for doctoral theses, the Recruitment Committee shall decide on the allocation of the topics of the doctoral dissertations having previously consulted these with the candidates and supervisors. The results of a candidate’s recruitment process, including the reserve list (if applicable) and the candidate’s position on the ranking list, shall be published on an individual recruitment account of the candidate within the deadlines given in the recruitment process schedule.
- In the case of insufficient number of persons interested in the Project or lack of persons meeting the recruitment criteria, additional recruitment is planned under the same criteria.
- In case any of the shortlisted candidates resigns before the Project commencement, a person from the reserve list shall be qualified for the Project.
- The candidate qualified for the Project is obliged to sign these Regulations and the Agreement within the deadline specified in the recruitment process schedule. The candidate shall not be admitted to the Project if they fail to comply with this provision.
- The project observes equal opportunities for women and men, and all information, promotion and teaching materials are compliant therewith.
- The Project observes equal opportunities and is accessible for the disabled. Both didactic facilities, classrooms and other rooms used for the Project shall provide access for the disabled.
- Recruitment for the Project shall be held from 02.07.2018 to 10.09.2018:
§ 5
Participant’s rights and obligations
- Participants are obliged to attend all Tutorials.
- Participants obtain:
- certificates confirming their participation in the Project
- during the course of studies – certificates of the course of study
- upon completion of the degree program and the defence of a doctoral thesis, diplomas confirming the award of the doctoral degree of “PhD” by means of a doctoral procedure.
- The Participant is obliged to participate in each Tutorial in accordance with the number of teaching hours provided for in the program specified in Appendix No. 5 to the Regulations.
- The Participants confirm their presence each time by signing the attendance list and arriving on time.
- The Project Coordinator shall remove a Participant from the list of Participants if they:
- resign from participating in the Project,
- fail to attend each Tutorial in accordance with the number of teaching hours provided for in the program specified in Appendix No. 5 to the Regulations,
- grossly violate the provisions of the Regulations or of the Agreement.
In the case of removing the Participant from the list of participants under § 5.5 of the Regulations, the Participant is obliged to reimburse the cost of their participation in the Project, under § 3.7 of the Participation Agreement.
- A breach of the Regulations or the Agreement by a Participant as a result of “force majeure”, i.e. an unforeseeable, exceptional situation or event beyond the control of the Participant, which is not the result of the Participant’s error or negligence, and which prevents the Participant from continuing to participate in the Project, shall not result in the Participant having to bear the cost of their participation in the Project.
- The Project Organiser may allow a justified absence caused by illness or personal emergency leave under the provisions of the Labour Code.
§ 6
Tutorials within the Project
- Depending on the type of Tutorial, training groups of up to 15 Participants shall be formed.
- The Project Contractor shall provide the premises, as well as technical and human resources necessary for the implementation of the Project.
- Tutorials shall be conducted with the use of modern multimedia techniques and technologies and modern teaching methods.
- In order to verify the situation of the Participants and the effectiveness of the Project, the Participants, as part of their individual assessment, are obliged to provide specific information in individual interviews throughout Project implementation (the criteria for the annual individual progress assessment are given in Appendix No. 6 to these Regulations).
- Doctoral thesis shall be written in English.
§ 7
Final provisions
- In matters not regulated by the Regulations and related to the Project, decisions are made by the Project Coordinator.
- Any amendments to the Regulations shall be made in writing.
- The Regulations remain effective throughout the duration of the POWR.03.02.00-00-I019/16 Project – “Establishment and Implementation of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English at the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University”.
- Regulations have been drawn in Polish and English. In case of any discrepancies between the language versions, the Polish version shall prevail.
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Legible signature of the Participant
Appendix 1
Awarding research grants for doctoral students
- The project assumes co-financing of scientific projects conducted by Participants during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of study.
- The call for applications shall be open once a year by a specially appointed 3-person committee chaired by the Project Coordinator. The Committee shall be appointed in each case by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
- In order to be eligible to take part in the competition, a complete application must be submitted within the prescribed time limit, a set of assessment grades obtained during the previous semesters, and an update on current status of a doctoral student of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English must be obtained.
- The call for proposals shall be open once a year in October for the period of 7 days. The exact time frame for submitting applications, and the list of the documents required shall be given by the Project Coordinator in separate notices.
- The evaluation criteria shall comprise:
- project description – scores from 0 to 10,
- possible impact the project might have on the development of the field of research – scores from 0 to 4,
- correctness and pertinence of the project budget – scores from 0 to 4,
- correctness of the project schedule – scores from 0 to 4,
- the possibility of publishing the project results in a JCR journal – scores from 0 to 3.
- Co-financing for participation in scientific conferences shall be granted to 8 doctoral students with the highest grades.
- The co-financing shall be granted in the amount up to PLN 25 000.00 per year.
- The grant awarded will be qualified on the basis of the submitted annual report (following each year of implementation) on the research conducted, its progress as well as publishing the results.
- The decision on awarding the research grant shall be communicated to the Applicant in the form of a written notice provided by the Project Manager.
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Legible signature of the Participant
Appendix 2
Participation in scientific conferences
- The project assumes co-financing of participation in scientific conferences (domestic and foreign) in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of study.
- The call for applications shall be open once a year by a specially appointed 3-person Committee chaired by the Project Coordinator. The Committee shall be appointed in each case by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
- In order to be eligible to take part in the competition, a complete application must be submitted within the prescribed time limit, a set of assessment grades obtained during the previous semesters, and an update on current status of a doctoral student of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English must be obtained.
- The call for proposals shall be open once a year in December for the period of 7 days. The exact time frame for submitting applications, and the list of the documents required shall be given by the Project Coordinator in separate notices.
- The evaluation criteria shall comprise:
- Participant’s achievements – scores from 0 to 3,
- the connection of the selected conference with the subject matter of the research undertaken– scores from 0 to 2
- possiblity of active participation in conference – scores from 0 to 2.
- Co-financing for participation in scientific conferences shall be granted to 8 doctoral students with the highest grades.
- The co-financing shall be granted in the amount up to PLN 1 270.00 per year.
- The decision on granting the co-financing for the participation conferences shall be communicated to the Applicant by the Project Manager, in the form of a written notice.
- The qualification of the conference shall be executed following the submission of the delegation form with attachments, as well as completion of the Self-Assessment Card, and a short conference report.
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Legible signature of the Participant
Appendix 3
Participation in training and internships
- The project assumes co-financing of participation in trainings and internships/traineeships abroad in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of study.
- The call for applications shall be open once a year by a specially appointed 3-person Committee chaired by the Project Coordinator. The Committee shall be appointed in each case by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
- In order to be eligible to take part in the competition, a complete application must be submitted within the prescribed time limit, a set of assessment grades obtained during the previous semesters, and an update on current status of a doctoral student of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English must be obtained.
- The call for proposals shall be open once a year in February for the period of 7 days. The exact time frame for submitting applications, and the document templates shall be given by the Project Coordinator in separate notices.
- The evaluation shall be carried out by the Project Coordinator together with two independent reviewers.
- The evaluation criteria shall comprise:
- Participant’s achievements – scores from 0 to 3,
- grades from studies – scores from 0 to 3,
- relation of the selected training/internship with the subject matter of research undertaken – scores from 0 to 6.
- Co-financing for participation in scientific conferences shall be granted to 4 doctoral students with the highest grades.
- The co-financing shall be granted in the amount up to PLN 8 000.00 per year.
- The funds obtained may be used to pay for share of travel and accommodation.
- The decision on granting the co-financing for the participation in conferences shall be communicated to the Applicant in the form of a written notice provided by the Project Manager.
- The qualification of the internship/training shall be executed following the submission of the delegation form with attachments, as well as completion of the Competence Study, the Self-Assessment Card, and a short internship/training report.
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Legible signature of the Participant
Appendix 4
Science scholarships
- Any Participant admitted through recruitment process shall receive a scholarship.
- The scholarship amounts to PLN 700.00 (seven hundred zlotys) monthly.
- The scholarship shall be paid from the moment of entering the doctoral studies program for a period of 9 months per year, excluding holidays.
- Scholarship shall be qualified on the basis of an annual report that shall include development program submitted by the Participant, as well as information on the progress of the research conducted, participation in conferences, internships and training as well as publications. The annual individual progress assessment shall be conducted by a three-person committee chaired by the Project Coordinator for Science and appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
- The Project Manager shall inform about the exact time frame for submitting applications and the templates of documents in separate notifications.
- The annual report shall also be taken into account in the proceedings for scholarship extension for the following years.
- After the first year of studies, Participants shall be assessed on the basis of a set of criteria the aim of which shall be to assess the progress of their doctoral thesis.
- The evaluation criteria shall include:
- grades and credits obtained,
- scientific activity of the Participant – on the basis of the submitted report,
- progress of the doctoral thesis.
- The scholarship shall be awarded for the following year under positive assessment of the Participant’s achievements.
- The official decision to extend the Applicant’s scholarship to the following years shall be made by the Project Manager in writing.
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Legible signature of the Participant
Appendix 5
“Establishment and Implementation of Interdisciplinary, Internationally-Oriented PhD Studies in English at the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium of Nicolaus Copernicus University” – Project framework
- Practical Aspects of Biomedical Sciences – 30 h
- Elective module – Biology – 30 h
- Biotechnology in Medicine – 20 h
- Elective module – Laboratory Diagnostics – 30 h
- Modern Human Genetics – 20 h
- Elective module – Genetics – 30 h
- Evidence-based Medicine – 30 h
- Electives – Medical module – 30 h
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Biomedicine – 30 h
- English for Scientific Research – 40 h
- Selected Aspects of Contemporary Medicine and Biology – expert lectures in selected areas – 20 h
- Communication and Self-presentation – soft skills masterclass – 20 h
- Scientific Research. Practice – 10 h
- Biostatic Methods. Practice – 30 h
- Elective module – Biostatics. Seminar – 30 h
- Clinical Research – 26 h
- Commercialisation of Science – “design thinking” workshops – 30 hours
- Doctoral Seminar. Biostatic Methods – 80 h
- Immunology – Lectures – 30 h
- Scientific Research. Lectures – 20 h
- Biostatic Methods. Lectures – 10 h
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Legible signature of the Participant
Appendix 6
Annual individual progress assessment
- The annual individual progress assessment is conducted by a three-person committee chaired by the Project Coordinator for Science and appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the CM UMK.
- The Committee shall assess individual progress on the basis of a written report prepared by the Participant at the end of each year of study and submitted by the deadline set by the Project Manager. The elements taken into account in the evaluation shall comprise the progress in the scientific work, acquisition and implementation of grants, co-authorship in publications, participation in scientific conferences, internships and training.
- The individual progress assessment answers the following scale: insufficient, sufficient, good, very good, distinctive. To obtain scholarship, the persons reports need to have been assessed at least as “good”.
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Legible signature of the Participant
Appendix 7
LIST OF DOCUMENTS CERTIFYING COMMAND OF ENGLISH as per appendix no 2 to the Regulation of 16 December 2009 on recruitment process in civil service issued by the Prime Minister (Journal of Laws no 218 item 1695):
- a diploma of graduation:
- higher education diploma in the field of English studies or applied linguistics;
- teacher training college of foreign languages;
- the National School of Public Administration.
- A document confirming:
- award of an academic degree or title, issued abroad – the language of instruction (English) of the institution providing the training is recognised;
- completion of higher education or postgraduate studies conducted abroad or in the Republic of Poland in cooperation with a higher education institution providing education abroad – the language of instruction (English) shall be recognised if the language of instruction was exclusively a foreign language.
- A document issued abroad which is recognised as equivalent to a certificate of secondary education – the language of instruction (English) is recognised.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma.
- European Baccalaureate certificate.
- A document confirming entry into the registry of sworn translators.
- The following certificates:
- First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Business English Certificate (BEC) Vantage – at least a pass, Business English Certificate (BEC) Higher, Certificate in English for International Business and Trade (CEIBT) – certificates issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
- International English Language Testing System IELTS – more than 6 points – certificates issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, the British Council, and Education Australia.
- Certificate in English Language Skills (CELS) – levels “Vantage” (B2) and “Higher” (C1).
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – at least 510 points in the Paper–Based Test (for Computer–Based Test – at least 180 points, Internet–Based Test – at least 87 points) completed with at least 3,5 points from Test of Written English (TWE) – issued by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, USA.
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) – First Class Pass at Intermediate Level, Higher Intermediate Level, Advanced Level – issued by the City & Guilds Pitman Qualifications (Pitman Qualifications Institute).
- International English for Speakers of Other Languages (IESOL) – “Communicator” level, “Expert” level, “Mastery” level – issued by City & Guilds (City & Guilds Pitman Qualifications).
- City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (reading, writing and listening) Communicator (B2) 500/1765/2; City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (reading, writing and listening) Expert (C1) 500/1766/4; City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (reading, writing and listening) Mastery (C2) 500/1767/6 – issued by City & Guilds.
- Spoken English Test (SET) for Business – Stage B “Communicator” level, Stage C “Expert” level, Stage C “Mastery” level – issued by City & Guilds (City & Guilds Pitman Qualifications).
- English for Business Communications (EBC) – Level 2, Level 3 – issued by City & Guilds (City & Guilds Pitman Qualifications).
- English for Office Skills (EOS) – Level 2 – issued by City & Guilds (City & Guilds Pitman Qualifications).
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) – at least 700 points form test – issued by Educational Testing Service, Princeton, USA.
- London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI): English for Business Level 2, English for Business Level 3, English for Business Level 4 – certificates issued by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board.
- London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) – Foundation Certificate for Teachers of Business English (FTBE) – certificate issued by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board.
- B2 Certificate in English – advantage, B2 Certificate in English for Business Purposes – advantage, Certificate in English for Technical Purposes (B2) – TELC exams (The European Language Certificates) conducted by WBT Weiterbildungs–Testsysteme GmbH or telc GmbH; telc English B2, telc English B2 Business, telc English B2 Technical, telc English C1 – issued by telc GmbH.
- London Tests of English, Level 3 (Edexcel Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International); London Tests of English, Level 4 (Edexcel Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International); London Tests of English, Level 5 (Edexcel Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International) – issued by Edexcel; conducted by Pearson Language Assessments or Pearson Language Tests.