Minister against status change for PhD candidates

Univers.Tilburg University: The introduction of the less expensive 'student model' for PhD candidates is a step back in the opinion of Education Minister Maria van der Hoeven. Her ministry will not facilitate such a development. The Minister said this during a symposium of the Dutch network of PhD students in Amsterdam last Wednesday. Dutch universities would like to change the status of PhD candidates from employees to students, but the arguments to do so don't convince her. According to Van der Hoeven, better supervision of PhD students will lead to a higher percentage of PhD candidates finishing their studies, and to increase the number of PhD students, more external PhD candidates should be appointed. Read more: Eurogates.Forum