Dual Award PhD Program in Nutritional Sciences with Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven

The dual PhD degree in Nutritional Sciences is offered collaboratively by UAEU and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) that leads to the award of a dual degree with two separate certificates, one from each institution. This program allows a student to receive academic training and to perform research work under the joint responsibility of a supervisor from UAEU and a supervisor from KU Leuven. The Doctoral student is required to satisfy the admission requirements of both institutions, comply with both institutions’ academic regulations, and defend a single dissertation that meets the requirements of both institutions. For each student in the Dual PhD Program, an individualized agreement specifying the details of the student’s course of study, academic requirements, and plan for the completion of the Dual Degree will be negotiated and signed.

This program provides students with a unique opportunity to demonstrate innovation in a wide range of Nutritional Sciences research areas. The dual PhD degree in Nutritional Sciences is awarded to candidates who successfully complete a program of advanced courses, qualification and research requirements and dissertation defense. Students are expected to carry out an independent investigation in a Nutritional Sciences research area under supervision of experienced researchers. Graduates of the program are anticipated to meet the challenges in the Nutritional Sciences discipline and provide innovative solutions based on the most recent developments in Nutritional Sciences.

The total duration of the doctoral studies in the dual degree program normally takes between 4-7 years. Shorter or longer periods can be agreed by the two institutions as long as all the requirements are met within this period. The student is required to spend a minimum of six months (preferably longer time) at each of the partner institutions.

Upon successful completion, the candidate will receive two separate certificates, one from each of the two institutions, indicating that the program in which the student was enrolled is a dual degree program.

The principle of “main-partner” institution will be applied for this Program. Typically, the institution where the PhD student starts or where he/she will spend most of his/her time, will be indicated as the main institution. The other institution will be considered as the partner institution.

Benefits of the Program

This program enhances the academic training and research experience of Doctoral candidates. Students will have access to the facilities, resources, professors and research environments of the two institutions, giving the doctoral candidate the full benefits of international experience. Dual supervision allows complementary approaches to research questions. Students will also gain knowledge and experience from research groups at both institutions, learn to be mobile, be willing to mediate between two supervisors who may have different institutional priorities, be able to adapt to the culturally-different approaches to research, and be able to fulfill the demands of two administrative systems. In addition, the program provides students with excellent networking opportunities, which can result in more promising future job prospects.

Eligibility

Privilege to participate in the Dual PhD Program is only extended to students who have demonstrated a record of excellence and who can demonstrate that they will be able to successfully complete the requirements of the two institutions within the maximum time period allowed by each institution. Candidates should have previous research experience, which is evident from their publication records in the area. Highly qualified students who are interested in the Dual PhD Program should begin by discussing this option with their supervisor and a prospective supervisor at the partner institution, who is preferably engaged in an active collaboration between two partner institutions. Normally, students should have completed one year in the Doctoral program at the main institution before applying to the Dual PhD Program. Alternatively, the two supervisors from the partner institutions may recruit an excellent student for the Program. After receiving confirmation from the potential supervisors at both institutions about their willingness to jointly supervise the candidate, the student needs to apply to the appropriate authorities at the two institutions. The applicant needs to follow the standard admission procedures and deadlines and meet the academic requirements of both institutions.

Admission

Candidates need to be admitted to the Doctoral program at both institutions. The minimum requirements to Doctoral admission include having obtained a relevant master degree with excellent grades and be meeting the English proficiency requirements of the two institutions. Any of the two institutions can decide to request additional course(s) and/or research assignment before final admission of the applicant. An Individualized Dual Degree Agreement specifying the details of the student’s course of study, academic requirements, and plan for the completion of the Dual Degree will be signed by the two institutions for each applicant. The partner institution should not accept a student who has been nominated for the dual degree program at the main institution outside the dual degree framework.

Enrollment and Fees

Doctoral students need to register at both institutions throughout their study period. However, they will typically pay enrollment fees only at the main institution and will be exempted from paying similar fees to the partner institution unless otherwise specified in the Individualized Agreement. Any costs related to periods of research spent at the partner institution, attendance of national and international conferences, the organization of the PhD defense, and other costs specific to the Dual PhD Program shall be discussed and determined in mutual agreement between the supervisors from the partner institutions.

Research at the partner institutions

The PhD student shall spend alternate or consecutive research periods at both partner institutions. The research periods are to be agreed upon following consultation between the PhD student and the supervisors. The student is required to spend a minimum of six months (preferably longer time) at each of the partner institutions.

Supervision

The Doctoral student needs to have a supervisor at each of the two institutions. Also, before the end of the student’s first semester in the dual degree program, an advisory committee needs to be formed. The Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the authorities of both institutions, in accordance with the regulations of both institutions.

Duration of the Dual Degree Doctoral Program

The total duration of the doctoral studies in a dual degree program normally takes between 4-7 years. Shorter or longer periods can be agreed by the two institutions as long as all the requirements are met within this period.

Doctoral Defense

The Examination Committee of Dual Doctoral students consists of the two supervisors and at least one other faculty member from each of the partner institutions, and at least one member who is external to both institutions. The Examination Committee shall be appointed by the authorities of both institutions, in accordance with the regulations of both institutions. All members of the examination committee need to be able to take part in the evaluation at the defense (preferably face-to-face or by exception via video conference, e.g. Skype, MS Teams, etc.).

Doctoral Degree

A dual degree with two separate certificates, one from each of the participating institutions will be awarded to the student. Permanent student records, including transcripts and diplomas will indicate that the program in which the student was enrolled is a Dual PhD Program. For transparency reasons, list of courses taken at the partner institution will be indicated on the student’s transcripts.

Degree Requirements

(The required coursework is based entirely on the courses offered in the PhD program in Nutritional Sciences at UAEU)

Additional Requirements

• Establish a Joint Supervisory Committee composed by members from both partner institutions.
• Spend a minimum of six months (preferably longer time) at the partner institution depending on the program requirements of the partner institution.
• Have at least one accepted international peer reviewed publication.
• Actively participate (via an oral presentation or poster) in at least one international congress.
• Give at least one oral presentation before the Supervisory Committee during the student’s research stay at the host institution.
• Follow the training on Scientific Integrity offered at KU Leuven or an equivalent training at UAEU.

Program Objectives

• To prepare and create future leaders of excellence in research, industry, and government sectors.
• To enhance R & D capabilities with advanced skills among the graduates to serve the society.
• To improve student’s competencies in critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, team work and effective communication.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced level of knowledge in Nutritional Sciences.
• Ethically conduct original interdisciplinary research, including development of a relevant methodology, data collection and analysis, interpretation of scientific results and literature, drawing conclusion and recommendations to improve health and well-being at the local, national and international levels.
• Identify issues to problems in nutritional science by proposing alternative solutions/ideas.
• Communicate evidence-based nutritional science information using appropriate (written, visual, and oral) means, according to the level of the audiences (professional or general).
• Demonstrate leadership qualities in the field of nutritional science to contribute to a future successful career in academia, industry or policy- making.

Degree Requirements

Required Credit Hours : minimum 54 hours

College Requirement

Core Course Requirements

Elective Courses

Qualification Requirements

Research Requirements