PhD Academy Info Day introduced the latest news

The event took place on Friday 9 September in the gallery of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB-TUO. A lecture by Dr. Dana Driscoll, Director of the Jones White Writing Center at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA, capped off the informal meeting. Her presentation introduced the PhD students to the key knowledge and skills leading to successful scientific writing.

"Although we are not used to boasting about our own achievements, I must say that we are the only ones in the Czech Republic who run a PhD Academy and cultivate it further. That is why other universities come to us for inspiration. I believe that we will be able to expand our activities even more. This is also thanks to your support and suggestions, for which we will be incredibly grateful," said the PhD Academy Guarantor and Vice-Rector for Science and Research Jana Kukutschová, who credited the success of the activity to all involved.

The PhD Academy and its upcoming news were presented by its programme guarantor Kamila Janovská. The meeting provided PhD students with information from the Central Library of the VSB-TUO and enabled them to meet the lecturers and guarantors of some courses. Pavel Czernek, a PhD student in Nanotechnology from the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, shared his experience with the activities of the Academy. "The primary benefit for me was the chance to improve my English language skills and also to be in touch with PhD students from other faculties. I will continue attending the PhD Academy this academic year. I want to focus on studying English again and I also plan to participate in academic writing courses. I can recommend the PhD Academy to all PhD students at the university," he said.

Dr. Dana Driscoll shared her expertise in the field of academic writing. Her lecture presented the results of the longitudinal study showing the importance of supporting the teaching of writing in higher education. She demonstrated how students are becoming experts in their fields. The university hosted Dana Driscoll from 5 to 9 September. She also shared her experience with teachers and PhD students at two workshops. "The first, a three-day workshop, focused on the pedagogy of teaching writing in technical disciplines and the second on supporting publishing. The participants took away many useful strategies and tips for both teaching students and their own publishing activities," said Alena Kašpárková from the Faculty of Mining and Geology, who is also professionally involved in the publishing education at the university.

The PhD Academy provides a comprehensive range of courses and support activities to help PhD students enhance the knowledge and skills needed to complete their studies successfully and kick-start their scientific careers. Detailed information is available on the PhD Academy website.

Text: Martina Šaradínová, PR specialist for R&D
Photo: Petr Havlicek