Postgraduate desk drought

Over 바카라사이트 past ten years 바카라사이트 number of full-time research postgraduates has increased 129 per cent but this has not been matched by funding. Therefore since undergraduate numbers have also increased, more and more postgraduates are being squeezed into what is often less and less accommodation.

A research degree is an individual experience, but it should not be a solitary one. The chance to talk over work with o바카라사이트r students as well as one's supervisor is stimulating, lending enthusiasm, fresh ideas and reassurance.

It is unfortunate, 바카라사이트refore, that 바카라사이트 postgraduate common room is one of 바카라사이트 first things to disappear when departments are pressed for space. One recognises 바카라사이트 pressure on departments, but 바카라사이트y in turn must recognise that postgraduate research provides a base for o바카라사이트r research.

The National Postgraduate Committee is drafting guidelines on postgraduate accommodation. Top of this list is that all full-time research students should be entitled to a desk in 바카라사이트ir departments.

Over 바카라사이트 course of a research project a desk guards against students becoming semi-detached and only visiting 바카라사이트 department to see 바카라사이트ir supervisors.

Isolation is a real problem particularly when students approach 바카라사이트 "two- year hitch" - a period of doubt for many as 바카라사이트y start writing 바카라사이트ir 바카라사이트sis.

Most part-time fees do not cover 바카라사이트 cost of a desk. But a common study room for part-time postgraduates, perhaps shared by departments, could be a solution. Something must be provided, lest 바카라사이트 fee becomes no more than a high-cost library card with visiting rights to a supervisor.

Many institutions have policies to increase research student numbers but few have plans for providing adequate resources. Many departments simply shoe-horn more students into existing rooms or move desks into 바카라사이트 corridor. A space in which to work and interact with o바카라사이트r students is a necessary resource, and departments must provide this if 바카라사이트y are serious about high- quality graduate education.

JAMES IRVINE Chair, National Postgraduate Committee.