under the auspices of the Islands and Small States Institute

L.N. 26 of 2016

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2016 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. – Degree Regulations, 2008

for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

under the auspices of the Islands and Small States Institute

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5) and 75 (6) of the

Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of Malta has promulgated

the following bye-laws made by the Islands and Small States Institute in virtue of the

powers conferred upon it by article 5 (b) (v) of the Statute for the Institute and which

have been approved by the Senate of the University of Malta

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2016 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. – Degree Regulations, 2008 for the Degree of Doctor

of Philosophy, under the auspices of the Islands and Small States Institute.

(2) In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the Islands and Small States Institute;

“the Degree” means the degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D.;

“the Institute” means the Islands and Small States Institute; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. – Degree

Regulations, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable from 1 October 2015 onwards.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants shall be in possession of one of the following degrees

(a) a Master’s degree, normally of this or another University, in an area

of studies which in the opinion of the Board is closely related to the theme of the

research proposed; or

(b) a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the

Board, to be equivalent or higher to the qualification as specified in paragraph (a) of

this bye-law.

(1) Applicants may submit their application form, together with a

comprehensive research proposal outlining the proposed project, including research

sources and materials, at any time of the year.

(2) Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate competence in those

skills required by the nature of the proposed research.

When the Board deems it necessary, it may require students to successfully

complete a number of study-units during their studies, and/or to satisfactorily

undertake tasks recommended by the Board, under those conditions that it may

impose, after approval by Senate.

Institute Doctoral Committee

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of an Institute

Doctoral Committee, composed as follows

The Director of the Institute, or delegate, and

3 members of the Institute possessing academic doctoral qualifications.

The Institute Doctoral Committee may co-opt other members from other Faculties/

Institutes, possessing academic doctoral qualifications, if deemed necessary.

Supervision and Students’ Progress

Principal Supervisors shall be required to submit a written report to the

Board, through the Institute’s Doctoral Committee, every June for all students under

their supervision.

Students shall only be allowed to proceed with their studies subject to

satisfactory progress reports from their Principal Supervisor. If the report is negative,

the Board shall make recommendations to Senate on the student’s continuing

registration for the Degree.

(1) After 12 months and not later than 24 months of full-time study or

the equivalent in part-time study, students are required to submit a report on their

research work for consideration by an ad hoc board appointed by the Board. The

ad hoc board shall be appointed by the Board on the advice of the Institute’s Doctoral

Committee and shall be composed of a chairman, the Principal Supervisor and an

academic with expertise in the area.

(2) The ad hoc board shall examine the student orally and shall submit

a written report for consideration by the Institute’s Doctoral Committee in the first

instance. The report shall contain recommendations according to the provisions of the

Principal Regulations.

Students registered at the Institute may be required to participate in the

Institute’s research and teaching programmes.

Thesis Presentation and Format

Six months before the submission deadline students shall be informed that

they are required to inform the Institute that they will be submitting their thesis for

examination not less than three months before the submission deadline.

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of the Board of

Examiners in accordance with the Principal Regulations.

The Board shall approve and publish guidelines on the format and

presentation of the thesis for the Degree.

(1) Students shall be required to submit a loose bound copy of their thesis

for each member of the Board of Examiners, together with a copy in digital format.

The officer in charge of the Faculty shall issue a dated receipt.

(2) Students may publish the whole or part of their thesis before submitting

it for examination. Such published work may later be included in the thesis submitted

for examination, provided that a statement to this effect is included.

(3) On successful completion of their studies, students shall be required

to submit to the Institute two hard bound copies and one electronic version of the

thesis, which shall include a signed declaration of authenticity, within six weeks from

the publication of their result. One copy of the thesis shall be kept in the Library of

the Institute. The electronic version must conform to the standards set up by the

University of Malta Library. Students who do not comply with this bye-law shall not

be awarded the Degree.

Repeal

The Bye-Laws for the Degree of Master of Philosophy - M.Phil. - in the

Islands and Small States Institute, 1998 and the Bye-Laws for the Degree of Doctor

of Philosophy - Ph.D. - in the Islands and Small States Institute, 1998, published

as Legal Notice 153 and of 1998 and Legal Notice 154 of 1998 respectively, shall

be deemed to cease to be in force as from 1 st October 2015, provided that students

registered for these degrees before 1 st October 2015 shall continue to be governed by

the bye-laws that were in force at the time of their registration for the degree.

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