The University of Portsmouth (UoP) welcomed Professor Clare Pollock, Vice-Chancellor, Edith Cowan University (ECU) to campus this month to sign a Letter of Understanding and celebrate the launch of a joint PhD program and scholarship.
The renewed agreement between the UK and Western Australia-based universities aims to pave the way for postgraduate researchers from ECU and UoP to pursue a doctorate degree, while studying abroad.
Professor Graham Galbraith CBE, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Portsmouth, said: "This Joint PhD program extends the very successful undergraduate dual degree programmes that have been running for four years and enables our researchers to collaborate with the very best PhD student talent in areas of national and international need and impact.
"Completion of this PhD joint award demonstrates that the students have collaborated with, and learnt from, experts in two different parts of the world. Graduates will have built industry connections in both countries opening unique future employment opportunities."
The joint PhD programme will provide a total of 10 scholarships over a period of five years - offering one PhD scholarship from each university per year.
"We know the transformational impact a scholarship can truly make on a student's life," added Professor Pollock.
"By offering PhD scholarships together with the University of Portsmouth, we can provide crucial support to future researchers who are dedicated to improving our world.
"This innovative program enables candidates to pursue doctoral studies while benefiting from the expertise, facilities, and support services across both universities. Students will gain valuable international research experience and graduate with a truly global perspective."
The joint university scholarship is open to prospective PhD candidates from all disciplines, with the first round focusing on research conducted in the fields of defence, cyber security and criminology. Candidates who have received alternative scholarship funding through external grants or similar will be eligible to apply.
