Estonian Research and Development and Innovation

3.3.5. Inclusion of foreign experts in the provision of doctoral studies

The curricula of music and musicology require provision of special musicology workshops of one week’s duration once or twice in a semester. These workshops are conducted by recognised foreign researchers and offer additional opportunities for students to receive advice on their doctoral dissertations. The doctoral students in the artistic branch regularly participate in master classes and workshops in their main study field conducted by reputable supervisors.
During the period 2011−2015, foreign experts served as reviewers of doctoral dissertations on four occasions. One doctoral student used a foreign researcher as a consultant. Consultations with foreign experts and the use of visiting lecturers in supervision should be increasingly facilitated in the future. The envisaged plans include identification of possibilities for joint supervision of doctoral research with academic staff members from SibA.
STRENGTHS:

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  The establishment of stringent requirements for PhD admission examination and study arrangements has raised the quality of doctoral studies and the advancement of doctoral students.
  
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  The supervisors of doctoral research are recognised experts in their research area and the supervisors of artistic projects are reputable specialists in their field.
  
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  Many doctoral students are involved in Estonian and international research projects. The first comprehensive artistic research project has been initiated in the field of contemporary music and improvisation.
  
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  The doctoral studies at EAMT are fairly international: more than 20% of the doctoral students come from abroad, many doctoral students have received training in other countries, foreign experts are involved in supervising and reviewing doctoral dissertations and projects.
  

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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  The individual development of each PhD student requires closer monitoring in order to prevent potential difficulties and increase the number of students who complete their doctoral studies within the standard study period. Providing a preparatory course for the candidates for PhD programmes should be considered.
  
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  The workloads of supervisors should be equalised and supervisors from abroad and academics with an artistic background holding a PhD and working at EAMT should be involved in supervising the written research papers in the artistic branch of doctoral studies. Doctoral students in dramatic arts should be provided with an opportunity to work regularly on their research with supervision by a theatre expert.
  
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  The availability of English language information on doctoral studies should be improved on the EAMT website as well as in other channels.
  
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  The students should be encouraged to participate more actively in national competitions of students’ research works.
  

3. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ARTISTIC ACTIVITY