HDR Cotutelle Agreement Procedure

Intent

This Procedure has been developed to outline the process for establishing a cotutelle agreement for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs.

This Procedure addresses Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) Standards 4.2: Research Training, and 5.4.2.

Scope

This Procedure applies to Cotutelle arrangements for HDR courses offered by James Cook University (JCU; the University) in conjunction with an offshore tertiary institution.

Definitions

Terms mentioned in this document and not defined here are defined in the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Policy and the Policy Glossary.

Cotutelle agreement – refers to a doctoral degree program that is undertaken jointly at JCU and an international higher education institution. The PhD candidate is supervised jointly by academics from both institutions and divides their candidature between JCU and the partner institution.

Procedure

1. Cotutelle arrangements may be proposed by any College provided:

1.1 the proposed partner institution does not pose a reputational, financial, or academic risk to JCU and where the proposed partner institution aligns with the University’s research strategy and warrants the allocation of university resources required to develop the arrangement;

1.2 the Cotutelle information resources, including the Foreign Arrangements Notification Procedure, have been fully considered; and

1.3 in-principle agreement to establish a cotutelle agreement between the advisory panels from both JCU and the partner institution has been achieved.

2. To initiate a cotutelle agreement between JCU and a partner institution, the JCU Advisory Panel must complete the required sections of the Overarching Cotutelle Agreement. Where a cotutelle agreement already exists with the Partner institution, only Appendix 1 (Cotutelle Candidature Schedule) is required.

3. Once completed by JCU, the Overarching Cotutelle Agreement should be sent to the Advisory Panel of the Partner Institution for consideration and execution and returned to the Graduate Research School (GRS).

4. To enter a cotutelle agreement with a partner institution, a HDR candidate must be either currently enrolled or have applied to JCU under the HDR Application, Admissions and Enrolment Procedure. Those already enrolled must be in their first year of candidature (FTE).

5. A HDR candidate enrolled under a cotutelle agreement must comply with the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Policy and all related procedures including entry requirements, candidature milestones and thesis submission and examination, except where variations to this are specifically made in the Cotutelle Agreement.

6. The terms of the Cotutelle Agreement including the Cotutelle Candidature Schedule must be adhered to.

7. Any proposed variation to JCU’s Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Policy and associated procedures must be approved in writing by the Dean, GRRD, and documented in the Cotutelle Agreement.

8. Prior to examination of the thesis of a HDR candidate enrolled under a cotutelle agreement, the GRS will check the Cotutelle Agreement for any clauses specific to thesis examination which vary from the HDR Thesis Submission and Examination Procedure.

9. The testamur and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement will make reference to the degree being completed as a consequence of a Cotutelle Agreement and the name of the Partner Institution.

10. Cotutelle arrangements are approved by the Dean, GRRD upon advice from relevant College Dean(s), Institute Director(s) or DVC Singapore Campus (or delegate).

Related policy instruments

Higher Degree by Research Policy

Foreign Arrangements Notification Procedure

HDR Application, Admissions and Enrolment Procedure

HDR Thesis Submission and Examination Procedure

Overarching Cotutelle Agreement template

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Administration

NOTE: Printed copies of this procedure are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History