Recognition as employees
Victor fears that especially Dutch people will opt for a business rather than an academic career, should the bursary system be introduced. ‘The gap between company and university positions will simply become too big’, he explains. ‘We have worked so hard for the recognition of doctoral candidates as employees, we should build upon that accomplishment rather than destroy it.’ According to him, people who want to obtain a PhD position could perhaps look for external financing more proactively, if something needs to change. ‘But cutting in time, money and especially employment conditions is not a sustainable solution.’
Another hot topic is the tendency to complete dissertations in 3 years, instead of 4. ‘I believe that this is an inescapable reality. The phenomenon is EU-wide, we cannot avoid this change.’ There are trends to create research masters to compensate for shorter PhD programmes, but Victor is critical about that: ‘Such a construction will take away a year’s salary from the person in question. I am more confident in strict planning and making clear arrangements.’
Having guts
Victor would be proud to represent PhDs in University Council. ‘There are more than 700 doctoral candidates at the UT. When decisions need to be made, we are a big enough group to be taken into account. The university offers sufficient possibilities for that, but we need to take those opportunities to make ourselves heard.’ Generally though, he does feel that the group is taken seriously. ‘Twente Graduate School, for example, approaches us regularly. We appreciate the dialog.’
Of course, Victor is also engaged with the interests of other groups at the university. ‘Exciting changes are taking place. There is a reorganisation, a new educational model will be implemented, and the binding study advice system will be applied. These are all fundamental modifications. I find it very important that evaluations are given due consideration. That people will also have the guts to reverse decisions, if necessary.’
Monthly get-togethers
So, now we know the points of view that Victor is ready to defend. But how can people make themselves heard through him? ‘It goes without saying that I will remain active within P-NUT,’ he assures. ‘We have monthly informal get-togethers, and monthly meetings with the board. I believe there are many occasions to exchange ideas and suggestions.’
