News Archive

The hardest part of doing or supervising a PhD used to be the paperwork.

But the Graduate Research and Scholarships Office is doing everything it can to ease the process.

The new and enthusiastic candidature team , featured in UWAnews in April, has put together a list of tips for candidates and their supervisors and one of the team, Thritty Bhanja , has introduced a new outreach program to help even further.

"To facilitate smooth running of all the paperwork and processes between schools and the GRSO, I will visit and explain them all, in person," she said.

"We think this informal approach will be most useful, and schools are welcome to make an appointment for any convenient time. Of course, we are still always happy to give advice over the phone, at 6488 4297."

Tips for Candidates and Supervisors

• Bookmark ‘postgraduate forms' web page for ready reference
• Bookmark ‘Graduate Research School' web front page
• Bookmark ‘Postgraduate Travel Funding' web page
• We recommend that at least one administrative assistant in your School has been trained face-to-face by the Candidature team if they are not already conversant with GRSO processes
• Make sure that at least one administrative assistant in your School knows how to book travel in Trobexis, and is able to teach postgrads how to use Trobexis for ‘self-arranged travel' bookings
• Read each form thoroughly and make sure that EVERY relevant question is answered - or else we will have to come back to the School for further information - this will hold up the processing of the form and cause delays
• Bookmark the ‘rules of supervision' web page
• Use the search box in the UWA website for searching for answers. If you can't find what you're looking for then call the GRSO on 6488 2807
• Contact the International Centre for information on prospective/admission for international students except IPRS/SIRF scholarship awardees
• All full-fee and foreign-sponsorship international postgraduate students apply for admission directly through the International Centre
• Make sure students understand that it IS IMPORTANT to meet the due dates for their candidature Milestones.
• Make sure any GRSO forms used are the current version . Obsolete versions may be returned to the School
• If there are supporting documents required for any GRSO forms, ensure they are attached
• Encourage students to find out what courses/assistance can be provided by the Graduate Education Officers
• Know who the Graduate Research Coordinator is in your school. They are a treasure trove of useful, up-to-date information
• Encourage your students to plan ahead when submitting forms and milestone documents. All such documentation needs signatures from the school before sending on to the GRSO - sometimes this can be a lengthy process
• Become familiar with StaffConnect - this has all the relevant information about your students' candidature and scholarships
• Encourage your students to check their student email regularly for official notices form the GRSO