Regulations

DOCTORAL STUDIES

The Doctoral Studies Program of the Department of Agriculture of the University of Western Macedonia has as its primary purpose the substantial contribution of researchers to the development of knowledge and applications in the field of Agricultural Science. Furthermore, it aims to carry out original and innovative scientific research on their part in all fields/subjects treated in the Department of Agriculture so that they are able to staff HEIs, Research Centers, Businesses and Organizations of the private and public sector in Greece and internationally.

Doctoral Studies are governed by the Doctoral Studies Regulations of the Departments of the University of Western Macedonia, which have been published in the Government Gazette. The Doctoral Studies Programs provide specialization in the main cognitive, but also related fields of the Departments of the P.D.M. The regulation of Doctoral Studies of the Department of Agriculture, which was approved by the Senate, was drawn up in accordance with Official Gazette 101/t.B’/27-1-2020.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Those who meet the following two conditions have the right to submit an application to the Doctoral Studies Program:

1. They hold an A.E.I. degree of the country or a foreign institution recognized as equal.
2. They are holders of a Graduate Diploma (D.M.S.) A.E.I. of the country or recognized as equivalent to the foreign or single and undivided master’s degree (Article 46 of Law 4485/2017).

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Announcement for the selection of doctoral candidates is made once every academic year, during the Winter semester or whenever else the Department Assembly deems appropriate. Applications are submitted to the Department Secretariat. The Candidate is required to submit, together with the application and the other supporting documents:

1. Draft of a Doctoral Thesis in the Greek language , which should include the following

• • Indicative Title in Greek and English.
  • Brief description of the topic.
  • Bibliographic overview with critical analysis of the area in which the topic is included (“Literature Review”).
  • Contribution and originality (“Contribution to Science”).
  • Purpose, objectives and research proposals (“Research Propositions”).
  • Research Methodology (“Research Methodology”).
  • Timetable for the preparation of the doctoral thesis per year of study.
  • Relevancy of the proposed topic to the academic subject and the overall academic work of the Supervising member (“Relevance”).
  • Bibliographic references (“References”).

2. 2. Detailed CV.
   3. Copy of degree and detailed score.
   4. Copy of Master’s Degree and detailed score.
   5. Diploma thesis summary (if available).
   6. Two (2) letters of recommendation.
   7. Certificates of English language knowledge.
   8. Assignments, Posts or Announcements (if any).
   9. Previous service certificates (if any).
   10. Photocopy of police identity card.
   11. Responsible declaration that he is not preparing a doctoral thesis at another HEI nor has he submitted a doctoral thesis for review with the same or a similar topic at another University in Greece or abroad.

THE APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA ARE:

1. The candidate’s research proposal
2. The relevance of the master’s degree
3. The master’s degree grade
4. The relevant postgraduate theses or any publications
5. Participation in research or other programs
6. Letters of recommendation
7. Documented knowledge of the English language
8. The interview

OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF DOCTORAL CANDIDATES

Doctoral studies are offered free of charge. The PhD candidates of the Department:

1. they have up to five (5) full academic years, all the rights and benefits provided for the students of the second cycle of study.
2. they are obliged to renew their registration per academic year (article 45 par. 2 of Law 4485/2017).
3. offer auxiliary support to the thesis supervisor, at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
4. participate in the work of examination supervision.
5. are partially employed in laboratory, research or teaching activities of the Department/Department, related to the field of his doctoral thesis.
6. participate in the consultation on the revision of the undergraduate curriculum.

7. have the possibility of conducting part of their research in a local or foreign institution/institute/research center/company. In the case of conducting research abroad, it is suggested that it be carried out within the Erasmus+ process.

Doctoral candidates who fall under article 19 par. 4 of Law 4452/2017 may be hired as academic scholars by act of the relevant Department with a fixed-term private law employment relationship to carry out teaching, research, scientific, organizational, laboratory or clinical work specified in the contract. The announcement of the academic subject is made after a proposal by the General Assembly of the Department and approval by the Department Assembly. The duration of the contract is determined up to one academic year on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of the Department. It may be renewed or extended, but the total recruitment time cannot exceed three (3) university years. The employment of the above may be full or partial and their compensation will be covered by scholarships and resources provided by the Department, without an increase in the state grant to the relevant A.E.I. and in accordance with the present provisions.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

The conditions for the public support of the thesis are:

• The annual written submission of a detailed memorandum on the progress of the doctoral thesis.
• The attendance and successful examination in the “Research Methodology” course.
• Proven participation in at least one (1) international conference with judges.
• At least two (2) publications on a topic derived from the thesis in a reputable, international journal, belonging to one of SCIMAGO’s Q1, Q2 or Q3 categories (SCOPUS).

LEARNING RESULTS

• They have demonstrated systematic understanding of a field of knowledge and full proficiency in the research skills and methods associated with that field.
• the monitoring and examination of the “Research Methodology” course.
• the preparation of the two publications in journals Q1, Q2, Q3 of the bibliographic base SCOPUS.
• the presentation of an article at an international scientific conference.
• the annual presentation of the progress report to the three-member committee.
• They have demonstrated the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a meaningful research process with academic integrity. This is achieved by:
  • the monitoring and examination of the “Research Methodology” course.
  • the preparation of the two publications in journals Q1, Q2, Q3 of the bibliographic base SCOPUS.
  • the presentation of an article at an international scientific conference.
• They are able to dialogue with their peers, the wider scientific community and with society in general on matters of their scientific fields. This is achieved by:
  • the presentation of an article at an international scientific conference.
  • the monitoring and examination of the “Research Methodology” course.
  • the research support of the Department/Department, related to the field of the doctoral thesis.
  • participation in the consultation on the revision of the undergraduate curriculum.
  • the possibility of conducting part of the research in a local or foreign institution/institute/research center/company.
  • he annual presentation of the progress report to the three-member committee.
• ΈThey have made some contribution with original research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge, developing some significant body of work.
• the preparation of the two publications in journals Q1, Q2, Q3 of the bibliographic base SCOPUS.
• the presentation of an article at an international scientific conference.
• They have skills for critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
• the preparation of the two publications in journals Q1, Q2, Q3 of the bibliographic base SCOPUS.
• the presentation of an article at an international scientific conference.

Useful documents (as a link)

• Application
• FEK
• Sample Letter of Recommendation