17 Dec 2018
Doherty Institute PhD program receives funding boost
The Doherty Institute PhD Program has received a significant boost, receiving two grants from the University of Melbourne which has secured its future for the next 18 months.
Chancellery awarded both a $30,000 one-off Top Up Grant and a Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF) Grant for $54,000 to the program, which was established to offer students real-world experiences and training opportunities beyond their immediate research topics.
PhD Programs Officer Dr Marie Greyer said the Doherty Institute PhD Program had experienced great support from students with all of the specialised workshops being booked out.
“We need to prepare our students for a world after their PhD and not all of them staying in academia,” Dr Greyer said.
“Our workshops offer business skills and engagement with industry to ensure students are better-equipped to enter careers in academia, plus engagement with public health experts and physician scientists to help them join industry and non-research sectors.”
Program co-leader and laboratory head Professor Dick Strugnell said in addition to the important professional development aspects of the program, there was a large focus on mental health.
“Mental health issues are common in postgraduate research students and support must be provided through education, peers and activities that directly acknowledge the pressures that research training brings,” Professor Strugnell said.
“I am very pleased to say the Doherty Institute PhD Program has enabled a very supportive cohort experience for students who reside in the Institute.”