Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Administrative structures overseeing research master’s degrees

1.1.1 The Graduate Research Committee

The overall aims of the Graduate Research Committee (GRC) are to ensure excellence in research training and the timely completion of theses and programs of study. It is responsible for administering the relevant research degree regulations and for advising the Monash University Academic Board on all matters of policy relating to research master’s and doctoral (i.e. graduate research) programs. In terms of research master’s programs, the GRC has final responsibility for approving admission to candidature and for such matters as: course and unit approvals; amendments to individual study programs; changes to candidature and supervision; candidate progress; and submission and examination of theses. The GRC is also responsible for the allocation of scholarships, awards and grants to graduate research candidates.

The chair of GRC is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training). The Committee meets monthly and comprises the chair, a deputy chair (who also chairs the Graduate Research Steering Committee (GRSC) and is the Academic Director of the Monash University Institute of Graduate Research (MIGR)), the Director of MIGR, a representative of each faculty (including remote campuses), two student representatives of the Monash Postgraduate Association (one each from humanities/social science and science/technology disciplines), and any other relevant person co‐opted from time to time by the Committee.

Two student members represent the humanities/social science and science/technology disciplines. The GRSC, convened by the Academic Director of MIGR, meets weekly to consider various policy and individual candidate matters.

1.1.2 Monash University Institute of Graduate Research (MIGR)

To further enhance Monash University’s reputation as an internationally recognised research intensive university, MIGR was established in July 2012. The members of MIGR comprise accredited academic supervisors while the MIGR Office attends to the management and administration of all MIGR-related activities.
Key functions of MIGR include:

  • developing University-wide research and employment training programs relevant to all research candidates;
  • ensuring candidates are equipped with professional skills required for careers both within and outside of academia and research institutes;
  • overviewing and enhancing graduate research supervision;
  • identifying and disseminating examples of best practice in supervision and research training;
  • training and accrediting academic supervisors of graduate research candidates;
  • administering University-wide research degrees, including all doctoral and research master’s degrees;
  • developing and administering graduate research scholarships and research training policies;
  • establishing and maintaining the guidelines that ensure high graduate research standards;
  • supporting the University in attracting and retaining quality graduate research candidates, both domestic and international;
  • ensuring the equitable provision graduate research support, resources and facilities across the University’s campuses;
  • establishing a forum which provides a focus for the evaluation of graduate research skills training and coursework components and identification of issues of particular relevance to graduate research candidates; and
  • implementing the research training strategies and targets of the University

Facilities and services coordinated by the MIGR Office are outlined in Chapter10 of this handbook.

 

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