Estonian Research and Development and Innovation

3.3.3. Recognising and avoiding plagiarism

Academic integrity is a very important value for EAMT. The issues of plagiarism are first discussed in the context of the course “University Studies and Professional World”. This subject matter is given thorough consideration in the courses on the methodology of writing research papers at the master’s level as well as in the doctoral dissertation workshops and in the subject “Academic Writing”. A separate chapter is dedicated to this topic in the EMTA guidelines for written papers. EAMT does not tolerate any use of prohibited aids or sharing of information during examinations. The EAMT Regulation of Studies includes a separate chapter on academic integrity. It specifies that breaches of academic integrity can lead to a Rector’s reprimand or – in the case of severe breaches – to the expulsion of the student. The regulation of doctoral studies specifies that the decision to award the doctorate can be challenged, if regulations have been violated in defending the doctoral dissertation, the data presented in the doctoral dissertation prove forged or the doctoral dissertation turns out to be plagiarised.

3.3.4. Conditions for admission of international doctoral students and for doctoral students’ international mobility

As of December 2015, EAMT had 45 doctoral students in total, including 10 foreign students (amounting to approximately 22%). EAMT admits foreign doctoral students on the same basis and conditions as Estonians. Two months before the annual admission examination, EAMT organises a public consultation for potential doctoral students. The candidates are included in a single ranking list based on the results of the admission examination. Admitted doctoral students are assigned supervisors based on their main subject and research topic. Foreign PhD students can receive advice on residence permits, ID card application and other practical matters, as well as on preparing a study plan. Foreign doctoral students have experienced some difficulties using the EAMT website, which lacks information in English or makes the information difficult to find. The Development Plan for Doctoral Studies states that this situation should be resolved as soon as possible.
The 33 doctoral students admitted in the period 2011−2015 included 10 foreigners. The popular main subjects include composition and improvisation. Both Estonian and foreign PhD students have participated in the workshops of the Graduate School of Culture Studies and Arts and the best students have given presentations at international conferences (either research conferences or AEC student conferences). Doctoral students have also used the opportunities to study abroad through the support of DoRa, ERASMUS and other programmes. In terms of internationalisation, the target for doctoral programmes is for all PhD students to receive training abroad for at least three months of their total study period or to participate in a larger international cooperation project.