HayKa: for better structuring of Madagascan doctoral schools

[Article] - Published on May 15, 2023 in Doctoral and HDR training, Internship and Job Guidance, Erasmus+ Training Projects, University

Coordinated by the University of Montpellier and conducted in collaboration with six Madagascan universities, the University of Mons in Belgium, and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), the HayKa project aims to improve cross-disciplinary training and develop the employability of doctoral students in Madagascar. It is funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ program with a budget of €700,000 over a three-year period.

 "The project focuses on 10 areas of work, ranging from overall management to interdisciplinarity, including training for doctoral schools and trainers, links with the private sector, the use of digital tools, steering and internationalization, quality, and communication," explains Marc Bouvy, scientific coordinator of the project and emeritus research director atIRD.

Last February, nearly 30 researchers from nine doctoral schools and six universities gathered in Antananarivo, Madagascar, for the kick-off meeting of the HayKa project. Over five days, a collaborative approach was adopted to explore all areas of work and develop an action plan for the next three years.

Improving the quality of doctoral training 

HayKa includes a multi-level training process to improve the quality of doctoral training. The project aims to develop doctoral students' interpersonal and practical skills in addition to their scientific knowledge, particularly in communication, stress management, management, emotional intelligence, etc. "This step is essential for the personal and professional development of future researchers, as it allows them to strengthen their learning of cross-disciplinary tools and better showcase their skills to employers ," explains Marc Bouvy.

Professors will play a key role Professors and will receive training in doctoral supervision through two sessions scheduled for 2024. The program aims to train around 30 supervisors per year, as well as administrative and technical staff from doctoral schools, to ensure better support for doctoral students. In addition, doctoral school directors, administrative and technical staff, and Professors in a study visit to the University of Montpellier in 2025 to discuss best practices and identify opportunities to improve the quality of doctoral training.

Build a strong network between companies and recent graduates 

In May, the UM's Joint University Information, Guidance, and Career Services Department (SCUIO-IP) will launch a survey aimed at identifying issues related to doctoral training. The purpose of this survey is to collect data on Madagascan doctoral degree holders, whether they are currently studying or have graduated within the last five years. "During the launch workshop, the discussions were very enriching, demonstrating the strong commitment of the partners who are fully invested in the project. More than 550 people, including 300 doctoral students and more than 250 PhD holders, are involved in this study," says Elliott Cholet, project manager at the UM's International Relations Department. The survey will ultimately enable an analysis of their academic background, their professional situation after graduation, and their aspirations in terms of training and support for professional integration.

Hayka also plans to organize events to boost the employability of future PhD graduates in Madagascar, such as Doctoriales®, meetings between PhD students and companies, a summer university, and the creation of a platform dedicated to PhD studies and the sharing of work tools. "Several local companies have already expressed their interest in future events by providing letters of intent, and a network of professionals is being set up to ensure the success of the project, " concludes Elliott Cholet.     

Keywords: doctoral students, Doctoral schools, Training, HayKa, International, Research