DOCTORATE IN RESEARCH PROGRAMME REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.665

DOCTORATE IN RESEARCH PROGRAMME REGULATIONS

16th July 2021

LEGAL NOTICE 302 of 2021.

The short title of these Regulations is the Doctorate in

Research Programme Regulations.

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

“Doctoral Candidate” means an individual that registers as a

student at MCAST, and that is accepted to follow the DRes

programme. The Doctoral Candidate cannot follow any other post-

graduate programmes at MCAST or with any other institution

whilst following this DRes programme.

“Doctoral Degree Committee” (DDC) means the Doctoral

Degree Committee (DDC) as established by the MCAST Board of

Governors from time to time and shall constitute no less than three

(3) members and no more than five (5) members, all of who are

affiliated with MCAST and take on the role of senior academic or

senior management within MCAST. All members shall hold a

doctoral qualification and have held, or presently hold, a senior

position within MCAST. On average DDC members are expected

to dedicate an average of two (2) contact hours per week towards

the operations of the DDC, with the exception of the Chair of the

DDC who shall be expected to dedicate an average of five (5)

contact hours per week that will include the tasks of recording and

reporting.

“Professional Research Doctorate” (DRes) means the programme

that shall run over a minimum of five (5) years on a part-time basis,

and is aimed at professionals that hold relevant first and masters

degrees. The main component of the programme is an applied

research endeavour of PhD level, initiated through a Post-Graduate

Certificate in Research Meth ods programme or comparable

alternative.

“Principal Supervisor” means an expert in both the research

theme and the identified research methodology who shall dedicate

significant time towards the mentoring and guidance of the

Doctoral Candidate.

“Second Supervisor” means an expert either in the research

theme or the identified research methodology, or possibly both, and

shall dedicate adequate time towards the additional support and

guidance of the Doctoral Candidate. The Principal Supervisor and

the Second Supervisor shall constitute the Candidate’s supervisory

team.

“Examiner Panel” means the Examiner Panel that shall be

selected by the DDC in the composition outlined in this Regulation

and shall report to the DDC on the implementation and outcome of

the final doctoral viva.

“Arbitration Panel” means the Arbitration Panel that shall be

selected by the DDC in the composition outlined in this Regulation

and shall report to the DDC on issues of conflict as outlined in this

Regulation.

“Doctor of Professional Research” means the title held by a

Doctoral Candidate who successfully completes the full doctoral

journey shall be that of ‘Doctor of Professional Research’,

identified by the post-nominals ‘DRes’.

(1) In order to be admitted to the Doctoral Programme,

candidates must satisfy one of the following four (4) eligibility

criteria

(a)

A relevant first degree and a relevant masters

qualification at sixty (60) ECTS, with at least five

(5) years relevant industry or research experience;

(b)

A relevant first degree and a relevant masters

qualification at ninety (90) ECTS, with at least two

(2) years relevant industry or research experience;

(c)

A masters qualification in the MCAST MVEAR at

one hundred and twenty (120) ECTS, with at least

two (2) years relevant industry or research

experience;

(d)

A relevant masters qualification at ninety (90)

ECTS, and at least ten (10) years of relevant

industry or academic experience;

(2) The candidate who wishes to follow the MCAST

Professional Research Doctorate will approach the most

appropriate MCAST senior academic in view of the chosen field

concerning his/her doctoral research, and discuss the academic’s

willingness to act as Principal Supervisor. Once a senior MCAST

academic has declared himself/herself willing to act as Principal

Supervisor, the Doctoral Candidate will, in consultation with this

supervisor, apply to the DDC to join the doctoral programme by

submitting the following appropriately compiled documents by end

of September of that particular academic year

(a)

Form titled ‘Request for Admission to the Doctoral

Research Programme’ shown in Schedule 1, that

includes a statement of willingness from the

identified Principal Supervisor.

(b)

Post-Graduate Research

Proposal

Form

as

indicated by MCAST.

(c)

Certified copies of qualifications, and proof of

identity.

(d)

Written evidence obtained from MG2i of a payment

agreement or contract for payment of due fees, that

are established from time to time and published

accordingly. Alternative to this may be proof of

scholarship funding, that replaces or supports the

programme fees.

(3) Following receipt of the above documentation the DDB

shall make a decision on the request, and if in the affirmative,

appoint the suggested Principal Supervisor if indeed suitable in

accordance to Article 4(2), and one second supervisor within one

month of receiving the request. If the DDB conclude with a

negative recommendation, this shall be provided in writing to the

candidate, and will include the grounds on which this decision is

based and possible guidance on how the candidate can strengthen a

future application.

(1) Doctoral Candidates shall be provided with one

Principal Supervisor and one Second Supervisor for the research

stages of the doctoral programme.

(2) The Principal Supervisor shall be an MCAST Senior

Academic or visiting part-time senior academic. This supervisor

must be significantly knowledgeable on both the theme of chosen

re s e a r c h a nd o n t he r e s e a r c h m e th o do l o gy pe r ti n e n t t o t h e

particular DRes.

(3) Principal Supervisors may take on no more than a

maximum of four (4) candidates at any one time, and shall dedicate

(per student) an average of one and a half (1.5) contact hours per

week for thirty-six (36) weeks of each academic year, excluding the

academic year relating to the student’s acquisition of the Post-

Graduate Certificate in Research Methods that normally takes place

in the foundation year of the programme.

(4) The duties of the Principal Supervisor shall include, but

not necessarily limited to, the following actions

(a)

Holding regular meetings and discussions with the

Candidate and the Second Supervisor, within the

remit of the available contact hours that the

Supervisor has at his or her disposal.

Provide general academic guidance

to

the

Candidate as deemed necessary.

(b)

Regularly read the academic materials created by

the Candidate and provide formal feedback and

direction on how to possibly enhance these written

materials.

(c)

Maintain records of interactions with Candidate

and of the ongoing performance of the Candidate.

(d)

Provide an annual review and associated report on

the general progress of the Candidate.

(e)

Provide a final evaluation report on the Candidate’s

dissertation prior to the viva, for the benefit of the

Examiner Panel.

(5) The DDB shall be tasked with replacing a Principal

Supervisor who has opted to leave his/her position within MCAST,

with an appropriate alternative within six (6) weeks of initial

notice. If a candidate alternatively requests for a change in

Principal Supervisor, this will be decided upon by the DDB and if

due justification of the reason is provided, conceded to within three

(3) months of initial notice. Candidates are advised to refrain from

a request to change Principal Supervisor unless completely

necessary, in view of the possible set back that this will have on the

timing of the doctoral journey.

(6) The DDB shall select a Second Supervisor who is also an

MCAST senior academic or visiting part-time senior academic or

in senior administrative management. This second supervisor must

be significantly knowledgeable in either the theme of the chosen

research, or in the chosen research methodology, or possibly both.

(7) Second Supervisors may take on no more than a maximum

of six (6) candidates at any one time, and shall dedicate (per

student) an average of half and hour (0.5) contact hours per week

for thirty six (36) weeks of each academic year, excluding the

academic year relating to the student’s acquisition of the Post-

Graduate Certificate in Research Methods that normally takes place

in the foundation year of the programme.

(8) The duties of the Second Supervisor shall include, but not

necessarily limited to, the following actions

(a)

Assist the Principal Supervisor in guiding the

Doctoral Candidate.

(b)

Determine, in consultation with the Principal

Supervisor, how the Second Supervisor can be

involved in the regular scheduled meetings between

the Principal Supervisor and the Candidate.

(c)

Provide concise feedback and opinions on the

academic materials presented by the Candidate at

the various programme stages, particularly the

dissertation writing stage.

(9) The DDB shall be tasked with replacing a Second

Supervisor who has opted to leave his/her position within MCAST,

with an appropriate alternative within eight (8) weeks of initial

notice. The Doctoral Candidate cannot request for a change in

Second Supervisor.

(1) Following completion of the Post-Graduate Certificate in

Research Methods that takes place in the first, foundation year of

the doctoral journey, the candidate shall take on a main research

task that will normally be over an additional four years on a part-

time basis. Candidates may extend this main research period

without need of DDC specific approval for a further year, assuming

that agreement is reached with the Principal Supervisor. Candidates

may furthermore place a request to the DDC to extend their main

research period for up to two additional years, meaning that the

doctoral journal may take up to a maximum of eight years to

complete in total. The DDC will not have the authority to extend

beyond this maximum period of eight years.

(2) Deliverables throughout the full Doctoral Journey are

summarized in the following table, and normally follow a linear

trajectory

Deliverable

Successful

Approved

by

the

Completion of the

MCAST Masters in

MCAST

Post-

Research

Methods

Graduate Certificate

coordination team.

in Research Methods,

at EQF Level 7, 30

ECTS.

Deliverable

Presentation of Early-

Peer-reviewed

Stage

Research

research paper or peer-

Findings at a Key

reviewed

working

International

paper or peer-reviewed

Conference.

poster exhibit.

Deliverable

Submission

and

Evidence of Journal

Acceptance of Peer-

Acceptance of Paper.

Reviewed Academic

Paper in a Reputable,

Relevant Journal co-

authored

by

the

Principal Supervisor.

Deliverable

Submission

and

Evidence of Journal

Acceptance of Peer-

Acceptance of Paper.

Reviewed Academic

Paper in a Relevant

Journal

with

an

Established Impact

Factor.

Deliverable

Final

Dissertation

Conclusion

of

Viva

Examiner

Panel

Following Viva.

At the end of each academic year the DDC shall task the

Principal Supervisor with submitting a review report in a provided

format, that outlines the progress of the candidate and any issues of

concern. The DDC may opt to meet up with the candidate and one

or both supervisors if it is felt that the intervention of the DDC is

required. The DDC shall formally notify the Doctoral Candidate of

the progress that is registered.

The Candidate is tasked with providing all of the necessary

research and progress works that the Principal Supervisor requires

to be able to compile the annual review report.

(3)

Viva-based Final Assessment: The viva-based final

assessment shall take place within six (6) months of the Candidate

submitting the formal dissertation for evaluation. The doctoral viva

follows the implementation mechanisms set out in MCAST internal

regulations. The Examiner Panel shall request initial evaluation

repo rts from b oth th e Pri ncip al Su pervisor an d the Seco nd

Supervisor, and will take these reports into consideration when

evaluating the doctoral dissertation. The Candidate may opt to

enter a viva even if guided otherwise by his or her supervisors, but

this is strongly recommended against.

(4) The Examiner Panel: The final dissertation submission

shall be of PhD rigour, and shall be examined by an Examiner

Panel that is identified by the Doctoral Degree Committee, and that

responds and reports to the Doctoral Degree Committee. The Panel

shall consist of the following composition, with the Principal

Supervisor attending in a silent, non-voting capacity if he or she

has the consent of the candidate to attend the viva session

(a)

Panel Convenor: Chosen from amongst MCAST

Senior Academic Management Staff.

(b)

External Examiner: A person who is external to

MCAST and who is identified by MCAST to be an

expert in the field, and who holds a relevant

doctoral qualification, ideally holds a professorship

position, and who has supervised at least ten (10)

doctoral dissertation students.

(c)

A significant publication list shall be sought as

evidence of academic standing.

(d)

Internal Examiner: A person identified by MCAST

who is a full-time senior academic within MCAST

and who holds a relevant doctoral qualification and

has significant knowledge in the particular research

theme and/or the research methodology that has

been adopted by the Candidate.

(e)

Panel Secretary: A person identified by the Office

of Administration to coordinate and record the full

viva process, and report on proceedings.

(5) The final outcome of the DRes dissertation viva shall take

on one of the five grading options shown below. The Examiner

Panel shall be tasked with providing to the DDB an adequately

detailed and conclusive examiner report with two weeks of

candidate completion of the viva, identifying which grading option

has been convened. It shall be the responsibility of the DDB to

convey all necessary result information to the Doctoral Candidate,

possibly through the Principal Supervisor. This formal notification

shall be completed within one week for the DDB to provide the

candidate with the formal viva result information. In the possible

event that the Examiner Panel are in internal disagreement, a

majority vote shall be cast and taken as final direction for the DDB

to act upon.

Option 1

Pass with No

The Examiner Panel is highly

or

Minimal

satisfied with the Doctoral

Amendments

Dissertation and approves the

dissertation manuscript with no or

minimal amendments that can be

completed within up to four (4)

weeks of being formally notified of

viva outcome.

Option 2

Pass

with

The Examiner Panel is satisfied

Lesser

with the Doctoral Dissertation and

Amendments

approves

the

dissertation

manuscript

with

limited

amendments that can be completed

within up to twelve (12) weeks of

being formally notified of viva

outcome.

Option 3

Pass

with

The Examiner Panel considers the

Significant

Doctoral Dissertation to be a pass,

Amendments

but

identifies

significant

amendments that can be completed

in up to six (6) months and need to

be approved by both the Principal

and the Second Supervisor.

Option 4

Viva Repeat

The Examiner Panel considers the

and

Doctoral Dissertation to be a

Dissertation

marginal fail, and requests that a

Revision and

significant

revision

and

Resubmission

resubmission takes place within

one (1) academic year. Candidate

shall sit for a second and final

repeat viva approximately one year

after this first viva. This will be the

final viva opportunity of the

candidate.

Option 5

Fail

The Examiner Panel considers the

Doctoral Dissertation to be a

significant fail and requests that the

candidate terminates his or her

doctoral journey forthwith. The

Panel may opt to award the

candidate with a Masters by

Research certificate, if it is deemed

justified that the work being

submitted is of adequate masters-

level rigour.

(1) The Doctoral Candidate shall be expected to conduct

his or her research in proper and full ethical rigour, meticulously

following MCAST internal regulations, and any other ethics-

related guidance or direction provided by the MCAST Research

Ethics Committee (REC) and/or the relevant Institute Research

Committee (IRC).

(2) The Doctoral Candidate shall complete all of the

deliverables outlined in Article 5(2) to be able to fully graduate

with the doctoral qualification.

(3) The Doctoral Candidate is expected to attend and present

on behalf of MCAST papers at conferences where appropriate

under the guidance of the supervisory team.

(4) The Doctoral Candidate shall ensure that he or she is holds

regular communications with the supervisory team, and shall keep

due track of work progress, interactions and feedback in a DRes

logbook that will be provided for this purpose.

(5) The Doctoral Candidate is to fully abide by all relevant

MCAST regulations, such as the MCAST plagiarism policy and all

other pertinent regulations.

(6) The Doctoral Candidate shall be responsible for his or her

final doctoral dissertation, ensuring that the innovative contribution

in the particular area of research is a result of his or her own

independent work.

(1) The Doctoral Dissertation shall be compiled in English

and shall be carefully proof-read by the Doctoral Candidate prior to

submission. The Examiner Panel may opt to refuse to evaluate a

dissertation that falls below the expectations of a properly

compiled doctoral endeavor.

(2) The dissertation manuscript that is submitted to the

Principal Supervisor for final approval must be identical in form

a n d c o n t e nt t o t h e do c t o r a l d i s s e r t a t i o n m a n us c r i pt t h a t i s

subsequently provided to the Examiner Panel.

(3) The Doctoral Candidate shall carry out a plagiarism check

utilizing an MCAST-approved plagiarism check tool on the

dissertation manuscript prior to submitting the final version, and

shall include the plagiarism evaluation report with the submission.

The Examiner Panel shall give due weight to the plagiarism report

when carrying out their review of the dissertation.

(4) The design and content of the dissertation shall be in such a

manner that it can be reproduced by photocopying, printing and

electronically. Advertising in the dissertation is strictly prohibited.

(5) The Doctoral Candidate is to provide two spiral-bound

colour copies of the final dissertation to the supervisor team, as

well as an identical electronic version for replication purposes. The

DDB shall reproduce other copies of the dissertation for internal

use and to provide to the Examiner Panel as necessary.

(6) Following a successful viva examination, and after the

necessary revisions have been made to the dissertation and duly

approved, the Doctoral Candidate is to provide three hard-bound,

colour dissertation copies to the Principal Supervisor for internal

dissemination. The cover, spine and back page of the hard-bound

dissertation copies are to follow the format and design stipulated in

MCAST internal regulations. This task is to be completed before

the degree awarding ceremony takes place.

(7) Intellectual Property Rights: The Doctoral Candidate shall

retain full intellectual property rights over the work he or she has

produced. MCAST shall retain the full right to store and display

the dissertation in its library and online repositories, and to utilize

the dissertation for the purposes of education and research.

MCAST thus shall have full right, and full permission, and full

licence to copy, publish, make available, distribute or disseminate

the dissertation manuscript in any manner worldwide, via any

possible medium available.

(8) Temporary Embargo

In exceptional cases where a

Doctoral Candidate may advocate a temporary embargo on the

publication of the dissertation, the Candidate must submit to

Principal Supervisor the prescribed filled-in form. The Candidate

will need to present a detailed reason of why such an embargo is

advocated to the Principal Supervisor, who will approve or reject

the embargo request, and if approved, decide on which length the

embargo shall be retained. The Principal Supervisor shall consult

with the Doctoral Degree Committee in decisions relating to a

temporary embargo.

(9) The Doctoral Dissertation shall include the following

elements, and shall aim to follow the following guidelines and

limitations

The following section provides information regarding the design

of the front cover, dissertation chapter structure, layout, font size

and line spacing. No page designs are to be included within the

doctoral dissertation.

Front Cover

For details of front cover and binding of

dissertation copies, refer to MCAST internal

regulations

Front Page

This page is to include in font size Times New

Roman 14 and 1.5 line spacing

MCAST logo positioned in top right corner

Dissertation title (bold font) and full justified

Doctoral Candidate’s name and surname

(italics)

Supervisor/s name and surname (italics)

Month, the year when the dissertation is

submitted.

The following text: ‘A dissertation submitted to

the Department or Centre concerned in partial

fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Professional Research.

Authenticity

This page is to include in font size Times New

Statement

Roman 12 and 1.5 line spacing

Page

Text 1: This dissertation is based on the results

of research carried out by myself, is my own

composition, and has not been previously

presented for any other certified or uncertified

qualification

Text 2: The research was carried out under the

supervision of (name of dissertation supervisor/

s – Title, Name and surname)

Signature and Date

‘Copyright

This page is to include in font size Times New

Statement’

Roman 12 and 1.5 line spacing

Page

Text 1: In submitting this dissertation to the

MCAST Department or Centre concerned, I

understand that I am giving permission for it to

be made available for use in accordance with

the regulations of MCAST and the Library and

Learning Resource Centre. I accept that my

dissertation may be made publicly available at

MCAST’s discretion.

Signature and Date.

‘Acknowledg

This page is to include

ment’ Page

in font size Times New Roman 12 and 1.5 line

spacing

the list of people that the Doctoral Candidate

would like to thank on the completion of the

dissertation. For example ‘Mr Name Surname,

who supported me during my dissertation work

as my tutor’.

Acknowledgements should be kept to a

maximum of five people.

‘Contents’

This page is to include in font size Times New

Page

Roman 12, with 1.5 line-spacing the main items

of the dissertation indicating the page from

where each item starts.

The contents include

Dissertation Title (and corresponding page

number)

Authorship

Statement

(and

corresponding page number) Copyright

Statement (and corresponding page number)

Abstract (and corresponding page number)

Acknowledgements (and corresponding page

number) Contents (and corresponding page

number)

List of Abbreviations (and corresponding page

number) List of Figures (and corresponding

page number)

List of Tables (and corresponding page

number)

*Chapter 1 : Introduction (and recommended

page number) Chapter 2: Literature Review

(and recommended page number)

Chapter 3 : Research Methodology (and

recommended page number)

Chapter 4 : Findings/ Analysis of Results and

Discussion (and recommended page number)

Chapter 5 : Conclusions and Recommendations

(and recommended page number)

(* The chapter mentioned above may be

adapted according to the research methodology

and research design requirements)

List of references (and recommended page

number) Bibliography (and recommended page

number) Appendices (and recommended page

number).

Refer also to Appendix 1 for sample of contents

page.

Subsequent

The font of all the remaining text (following the

Pages

contents page) is to be font size Times New

Roman 11, 1.5 line spacing and printed on one-

sided pages.

A wide left-hand side margin of 3.7 cm is to be

included throughout the dissertation. Other

margins are to be set at 2.5 cm

Quotations of more than three lines should

begin on a new line, indented on the 2.5 cm

from the main text.

Pages are to be numbered consecutively, in

bottom right corner, using Roman numbers for

the initial pages and natural numbers starting

from the first page of Chapter 1.

It is normal for chapters to have sub-sections

(1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.) to display text in a more

readable format.

The Dissertation presented for the Doctor of

Professional Research shall be no fewer than

80,000 words with a tolerance margin of 15%

higher word count.

Abstract (400 – 500 words)

This section should clearly state what the study

is about, summarizing how it was carried out

and what the results were. References are not to

be included in the abstract. It should present

only the essentials of the work in general and

Guideline for

up to 5 main keywords placed at the end of the

Content

of

section.

Introduction (2,000 – 4,000 words)

Main Sections

In this section, the Doctoral Candidate is

expected to state

the ‘problem’ or ‘question’ being researched;

why this topic was chosen;

what motivated the Doctoral Candidate to

choose this topic;

why did the Doctoral Candidate investigate it

the way they did;

what problem did the Doctoral Candidate wish

to explore;

what is the context for the research?

Literature Review (12,000 – 15,000 words)

The main purpose of a literature review is to

show the reader that the Doctoral Candidate

studied and analyzed viewpoints of other

researchers

on

the

problem

under

consideration. A literature review is not just a

summary of the books read but rather a

thorough analysis of other viewpoints on the

problem being analysed.

Research Methodology (10,000 – 13,000

words)

This section should make about 20% of a

dissertation. It presents the chosen research

methods and explains why these methods are

effective.

Findings, Analysis of Results and Discussion

(30,000 – 38,000 words)

This section includes critical discussion about

the Doctoral Candidate’s findings and shows

how these findings support the original

objectives laid out for the dissertation, which

may be partially or fully achieved, or even

exceeded. The Doctoral Candidate may also

Guideline for

include new areas of an investigation prompted

Content

of

by developments in the research dissertation.

Main Sections

Above all, it is required to present strong

arguments which show how findings may offer

a valid contribution to the development of the

subject of the selected research area or issues

related to it.

Conclusions and Recommendations (5,000 –

10,000 words)

In this chapter, the Doctoral Candidate has to

evaluate the significance of the work done and

give recommendations for any further

investigations.

Bibliography

This section demonstrates what sources were

used to conduct research. All sources presented

in a bibliography list should be sorted

alphabetically.

References

The Doctoral Candidate is generally requested

to use the MCAST-identified (See Regulation

100) Harvard referencing style in the

dissertation

(1) The Principal Supervisor will consult with the Second

Supervisor on all issues relating to the evaluation of the Doctoral

Dissertation, and shall aim to represent this two-person supervisory

team in all dealings and interactions with the Doctoral Degree

Committee and with the Examination Panel.

(2) If the supervisory team is of the opinion that the Doctoral

Dissertation meets the requirements of the DRes, the Principal

Supervisor shall give his or her final approval to the DDC for the

dissertation manuscript to be provided to the Examiner Panel for

evaluation through viva.

(3) The Principal Supervisor shall coordinate the compilation

and collection of the initial evaluation reports from both the

Principal Supervisor and the Second Supervisor, to be subsequently

provided to the Examiner Panel.

(4) The implementation of any changes to the dissertation

manuscript, after it has been finally approved by the supervisory

team, is only permitted with the express permission of the Principal

Supervisor in consultation with the Second Supervisor.

(5) The Principal Supervisor shall submit the final approved

dissertation manuscript, together with both initial evaluation

reports, to the Doctoral Degree Committee to be provided to the

identified Examiner Panel for evaluation through viva. The DDC

shall ensure that the full sequence of actions, from date of

candidate submission of manuscript to date of completion of viva,

does not exceed six months at maximum.

(6) If the Doctoral Candidate believes that the dissertation

manuscript is ready and of adequate quality for successful viva

d efen ce bu t no approv al i s fort hco mi ng from t he P rinci pal

Supervisor, then he or she may refer the matter to the Doctoral

Degree Committee for intervention. The DDC may opt to intervene,

either to communicate with the supervisory team to expedite

matters or possibly to allow the Candidate to approach the viva

notwithstanding that there is no approval, or if there are negative

reviews, from part of the supervisory team.

(1) Arbitration may be sought by the Doctoral Candidate,

either whilst within the doctoral passage or possibly as an outcome

of the Examiner Panel conclusions following viva evaluation of the

dissertation manuscript. The arbitration is an internal doctoral

progress mechanism that aims as resolving and reconciling and

does not impede the candidate from escalating a case to the

MCAST Grievance Office or externally to the Office of the

Ombudsman or to other legal recourses.

(2) In event of arbitration sought by the Doctoral Candidate

during the course of progress in the doctoral journey due to a

significant dispute between the Candidate and the supervisory

team, the Candidate is requested to formally communicate this

dispute to the Doctoral Degree Committee. The DDC shall attempt

to mediate the issue and to find an amicable solution. If no solution

is found the Candidate may opt to request a change in supervisory

team, being clearly cognizant of the implications and possibly

difficulties that could be encountered when replacing one or both

supervisors. The Candidate shall bear joint responsibility for this

decision, and with full awareness of its implications.

(3) In event of arbitration sought by the Doctoral Candidate

due to a significant disagreement with the outcome and final

evaluation of the Examiner Panel following the doctoral viva, the

Candidate is requested to formally communicate this dispute to the

Doctoral Degree Committee. The DDC will establish an Advisory

Committee, consisting of no less than three (3) members and no

more than five (5) members, to provide it with a guided opinion on

the validity of the Candidate’s claim. This Committee shall include

one member from the MCAST Board of Governors, another

member from senior academic management and a third member

from senior academic standing. In the event that the Advisory

Committee deems the claim to be unsubstantiated or erroneous, the

DDC shall sanction the earlier conclusion of the Examiner Panel.

In the event that the Advisory Committee deem the claim to be

substantiated, the DCC shall opt to reconvene a new viva session

with an entirely new viva team.

(4) In the possibility that one or both members feel that their

position as supervisor to the particular Candidate is untenable for

any reason, the member/s may request to the Doctoral Degree

Committee to permanently remove them from the supervisory team.

The DDC shall seek due reason for conceding to this request, and if

in agreement, take action to replace one or both supervisors with

minimal possible disruption to the progress of the Candidate.

(1) MCAST shall hold a doctoral graduation once yearly,

that will be included with the graduations of candidates of its post-

graduate programmes.

(2) In the graduation ceremony, the successful Doctoral

Candidate shall be required to don the robes that are identified by

MCAST to befit the doctoral title being bestowed on the candidate.

(3) The successful candidate shall be given the title of Doctor

of Professional Research denoted by the post-nominals ‘DRes’, by

the Principal MCAST or his delegate, in the graduation ceremony.

Schedule 1

Request for Admission into the Doctoral Research Programme

Candidate Statement of Intent

Principal Supervisor Statement of Intent

Candidate Summary of Qualifications

Candidate Summary of Professional Experiences

Candidate Confirmation of Accepting full DRes Regulations