Further information
FIRSTat UWA has been endorsed by the Board of the Graduate Research School as they anticipate that it will assist with timely completions and early identification of potential problems, especially with writing. Communication with supervisors is an integral part of the FIRSTatUWA project.
- The Graduate Research and Scholarship Office has specific information for International students on its website.
FIRSTatUWA is our program for Facilitating International Research Students' Transition at UWA.
International research students face pressures and challenges that are additional to those faced by the majority of domestic students when undertaking and completing their research degrees. To ease this transition, the Graduate Research and Scholarships Office will maintain regular contact with all commencing international research students in the early stages of their candidature and again in the final few months before completion. The steps in this process are outlined below.
FIRSTatUWA procedures
From 2006, all commencing international research students will be encouraged in their Confirmation of Enrolment letter, to meet with the Graduate Education Officers (GEOs) during the first month of candidature. The GEOs will advise of workshops and support services available through the GRSO and Student Services.
PhD students will then be emailed at 3 months and 5 months into their candidature regarding progress on their research proposal, at 10 months to check on progress in achieving the milestones for confirmation of candidature and at 13 months following the first annual report. Submission of the third annual report will trigger an email reminder about completion plans and scholarships. All email reminders will be copied to the supervisors for each student.
Masters by Research students will be emailed 2 months into their candidature regarding progress on their research proposal. At 18 months an email reminder will be sent about plans for thesis completion. All email reminders will be copied to the supervisors.
Process
International research students face additional pressures and challenges when undertaking and completing their research degrees. To help with this, the Graduate Research and Scholarship Office will maintain regular contact with all new international research students in the early stages of their studies and again in the final few months before completion.
Communication with supervisors is an integral part of the FIRSTatUWA project.
