Joint PhD Programme between Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Australia and Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (UOP), Sri Lanka

1) General Introduction to the Programme

A Memorandum of understanding (MOU) and cotutelle agreement were signed in September 2018 for split PhD program between Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Australia and Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. The aim of this MOU is to work together involving in research collaboration, participating in seminars and academic meetings, exchanging faculty and staff members, providing visiting scholar opportunities for PhD candidates and expanding the relationship to develop a cotutelle. As part of the co-operative work between RMIT and UOP, a cotutelle agreement is made for the joint supervision of PhD degrees in Engineering. Cotutelle is an agreement on joint supervision on the Doctoral degree level. This agreement regulates enrolment, supervision and evaluation of the candidate’s doctoral degree dissertation. The inauguration of the split PhD program was held in October 2018 at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya.

2) Characteristics of the Joint PhD Programme

2.1) Enrolment criteria

Selected candidate should satisfy the enrolment criteria of both RMIT and UOP. Enrolment criteria of each institution are as follows:

RMIT:

• Candidates having a MSc in Engineering (or) Second Class Upper division in the Bachelor’s degree (GPA ≥ 3.3)
• IELTS average score of 6.5 with each band above 6.0

UOP:

The qualifications required to get the direct admission to a program leading to PhD are as follows (Clause 5.7.2 of the General Regulations for the Postgraduate Programmes in the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka):

• A Master of Philosophy degree in a relevant field (or)
• A Master of the Science of Engineering degree (or)
• A Master of Science degree in a relevant field (or)
• A Bachelor’s degree with First or Second Class Honours (or)
• A degree or such other qualification as may be approved by the Faculty Higher Degrees committee as suitable for candidature for PhD degree with a minimum of two years’ experience, after obtaining the degree or such qualification, in a field related to the programme of study.

2.2) Joint Supervision

Candidate’s research will be supervised by at least two supervisors and there should be at least one principal supervisor from RMIT and UOP.

2.3) Duration of Candidature

Selected candidate should satisfy the minimum and maximum duration stipulated by both RMIT and UOP. The duration stipulation of each institution is as follows:

RMIT:

The minimum period of candidature is three years. Normal duration of the candidature is three and half years, full time, and the maximum candidature duration is four years.

UOP:

The minimum period required for the completion of the PhD programme is three academic years full time. The maximum duration is five years from the date of registration.

2.4) Stay at RMIT and UOP

RMIT: Minimum and the maximum periods of stay are six months and one year respectively.

UoP: The duration of the remaining candidature is expected to be spent at UOP (generally 2 to 2.5 years).

2.5) Awarding of the Degree

Degree will be awarded from both institutions acknowledging the joint supervision

3) Fees, Funding and Cost

Tuition fee:

The candidate must pay fees due at both RMIT and UOP during the candidature. The candidate may also be eligible to apply for a tuition fee waiver scholarship from RMIT to cover the tuition fee. The candidate enrolling into the joint PhD program between RMIT and UOP, the full tuition fee will be waived by RMIT for the entire duration of the candidature.

Living allowance:

RMIT: For the candidate enrolling into the joint PhD program, RMIT will pay the standard living allowance during candidate’s stay at RMIT.

UoP: It is the responsibility of the UOP supervisors to find the living allowance for the candidate’s stay at UOP. This can be obtained through possible research grants, university grants, industry collaborations, etc.

Cost of consumables/allowance:

RMIT will pay lump sum payment of 3750 AUD for a candidate for the consumables during the candidature and this can be used only for the research related consumables.

4) Contact Information

For further details about the programme, please contact Dr. M.C.M. Nasvi, Coordinator of the joint PhD programme, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya.
Email: nasvimcm@eng.pdn.ac.lk