The Prescribed Authority is normally the Director of a School, Dean of a Faculty
or Head of a Centre.
The responsibilities of the Prescribed Authority are normally exercised
in association with the Head of Department, and include
ensuring that:
| 5.1 |
the student meets the requirements set down by the University for admission to candidature, including in the case
of applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds, at least the prescribed minimum English language proficiency; |
| 5.2 |
the proposed research project is appropriate for the degree and can be completed within a four year course; |
| 5.3 |
the proposed supervisor is sufficiently expert in the area of research, and has the time and supervisory capacity to be able to offer the student appropriate supervision; |
| 5.4 |
appropriate supervision can be provided and maintained throughout the research period; |
| 5.5 |
appropriate resources (including fieldwork funds) and physical facilities can be provided and maintained
throughout the research period, in accordance with the Policy on Minimum Allocation of Resources for Full Time Research Students; |
| 5.6 |
appropriate opportunities are provided, by way of seminars and the like, for students to develop their skills
at presenting their work as well as facilitating related social skills such as team work, and students are encouraged to participate in other appropriate training activities, such as training workshops on safety and health procedures, offered within the University; |
| 5.7 |
each candidate has written guidelines concerning School, Faculty or Centre postgraduate policies and
procedures, including resource allocation; |
| 5.8 |
each candidate is provided with School, Faculty, or Centre Induction in the first semester of candidature, to clarify procedures and policies, and to discuss the expectations of candidates and staff; |
| 5.9 |
mediation takes place when there are problems between student and supervisory panel members, and panel changes
are authorised when appropriate; |
| 5.10 |
supervisors are encouraged to participate in supervision training activities provided within the University; |
| 5.11 |
the School, Faculty or Centre provides conference travel support for eligible research students during
their period of candidature, subject to the availability of funds; |
| 5.12 |
the academic progress of School, Faculty or Centre research students is monitored, including formal comments on
annual progress reports and involvement in the Mid-term Review of progress; |
| 5.13 |
the School, Faculty, or Centre administration maintains the capacity to provide efficient and effective local
administration for candidates, and provides helpful advice to these candidates; |
| 5.14 |
appropriate arrangements are made for examination of research theses, and appropriate comments are made on thesis examination reports and Head of Department recommendations. |
