(1) This document outlines the specific Award conditions of research higher degree scholarships (RHDS) awarded to domestic higher degree research candidates. (2) The aim of RHDS is to support and encourage highly qualified candidates to undertake research education at UWS. (3) Complaint Handling and Resolution Policy and appeal procedures as approved by the Academic Senate may be applied to matters under this rule. (4) This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Conditions of Award document signed by the Award holder and the University. The Conditions of Award document will include other specific conditions and provisions that apply to the particular Award. (5) Award means the Scholarship named in the Conditions of Award document, eg Australian Postgraduate Award, UWS Postgraduate Research Award, Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry), and other UWS, grant or industry funded Awards. (6) Candidate or "Award holder" means the person to whom the Award has been made. (7) The Award Holder: (8) The University (UWS) must monitor Candidates' ongoing eligibility to ensure that each Candidate continues to meet the eligibility requirements. (9) Where an Award holder has been allocated points on the UWS Scholarship and Research Training Scheme Ranking Metric for Research Centre membership, the Award holder must remain enrolled in that Centre for the duration of the candidature. In exceptional circumstances there may be an application to the Research Studies Committee to request transfer to another Research Centre or to a School. (10) A Full-time Award may be held for three years for Doctoral studies, or two years for Masters studies. The duration of a part-time Award is six years for Doctoral studies and four years for Masters studies. (11) The tenure of the Award will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken: (12) The duration of an Award will be increased by any periods of additional paid leave approved by UWS. (13) Where the Conditions of Award provide for an extension of the Award, the extension may be approved by the Research Studies Committee provided: (14) No extensions are possible for Masters candidates. (15) If a part-time Award is converted to a full-time Award then the period of time that the Candidate is regarded as having been in receipt of the part-time Award immediately prior to the conversion will be halved for the purpose of determining the duration the Candidate is regarded as having been in receipt of a full-time Award immediately after conversion. (16) If a full-time Award is converted to a part-time Award then the period of time that the Candidate is regarded as having been in receipt of the full-time Award immediately prior to the conversion will be doubled for the purpose of determining the duration the Candidate is regarded as having been in receipt of a part-time Award immediately after conversion. (17) UWS may approve part-time tenure where a Candidate is able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances that relate to significant caring commitments or a medical condition which limits the Candidate's capacity to undertake full-time study. (18) UWS may approve part-time tenure if the Candidate is undertaking Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS) training. (19) Part-time Awards are not available to applicants seeking to undertake paid employment on a full-time, or on a substantial part-time basis, and part-time Award holders are subject to the same restrictions on employment as full-time Award holders. (20) A part-time Award holder is expected to progress at half the rate of a full-time holder and extensions are possible for Doctoral Candidates. No extensions are possible for Masters Candidates. The time limits for receipt of a part-time Award are double those for a full-time Award. (21) Award holders approved to study part-time may revert to full-time study at any time with the permission of UWS. Stipends for part-time studies are not tax-exempt. (22) Where a Candidate, during the course of the Masters degree, converts to a Doctorate, UWS may also approve, on the recommendation of the UWS Research Studies Committee, conversion of the Award to a Doctorate or vice versa. The maximum duration of a converted Award becomes that for the new candidature. (23) If a Candidate is unable to pursue the degree they must notify UWS and apply to have the Award suspended for up to twelve months. Suspensions are granted at the discretion of UWS and on a per session basis. In exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of UWS, candidates may apply for suspensions beyond twelve months. All requests for suspension must be made to the UWS Research Studies Committee. (24) Periods of study undertaken towards the degree during suspension of the Award must be deducted from the maximum period of its tenure. i.e. if a full-time Award holder suspends the Award for six months but enrols part-time during that period, three months will be deducted from the tenure of the Award. (25) Before an Award can be restored after a period of suspension, the Award holder will be required to show that he/she is in a position to resume full-time study. Where the suspension was due to illness, a medical certificate certifying fitness must be produced. In all cases the Candidate must satisfy the supervisor that he/she is able to resume full time study. (26) An Award holder may not suspend their Award to undertake other paid employment. (27) If the Award holder does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of suspension, or does not make arrangements to extend that period of suspension, the Award will be terminated. (28) The Award will normally cease two weeks after submission of the thesis. UWS must terminate an Award: (29) If an Award is terminated, it cannot be reactivated unless the termination occurred in error. (30) An Award holder is required to give at least 14 days notice of intention to voluntarily relinquish the Award. (31) If an Institution knows or has reason to believe that a Candidate in receipt of an Award has provided false or misleading information to UWS in relation to the Award, UWS must immediately: (32) A full-time Award shall carry a tax-free stipend at the rate specified in the Conditions of Award. (33) A part-time Award shall carry a stipend at the rate specified in the Conditions of Award. Part-time stipends are not exempt from income tax. (34) Award holders are permitted to: (35) Award holders commencing their course are given priority for allocations of funded places. (36) Award holders with dependent children may be eligible for benefits from Centrelink. Award holders should contact that department (without delay, as benefits are not payable retrospectively) for details of this and other programs for which they may be eligible, such as Rent Assistance, Guardian Allowance or Health Care Cards. (37) Award holders will receive up to 20 days (four weeks) paid recreation leave for each year of the Award and this may be accrued over the life of the Award. Any unused leave remaining on termination or completion will be forfeited by the Candidate. The supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken. (38) Award holders may take up to 10 days paid sick leave per year of the Award and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Award. (39) Award holders should view their candidature as their main occupation and focus of their financial income. A Candidate is only permitted to undertake a strictly limited amount of paid employment: (40) UWS may approve candidates conducting up to 12 months (18 months for special cases) of their research outside Australia and to continue to hold the Award whilst overseas. Approval will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. (41) UWS will only approve overseas research if there is adequate supervision, the Candidate remains enrolled and the work can be credited to the candidate's course. The Candidate must return to Australia to complete the research program immediately following the completion of the overseas study. (42) Applications for overseas research should be addressed to the relevant School, Research Centre or Research Institute's HDR Director or equivalent. Applications should be made at least three months before the proposed date of departure and Award holders must not leave Australia before approval is given. Unauthorised absence from Australia may result in the termination of an Award. It should also be noted that, if approval is given for a specific period of absence abroad and for any reason the dates are altered, or if an Award holder returns from a period abroad and intends to proceed to a subsequent period abroad, fresh approval must be sought. (43) UWS may approve a Candidate conducting substantial amounts of the research at organisations outside the higher education system. In such cases UWS is still responsible for the Candidate and must sure adequate support, supervision, training and research freedom for the Candidate. (44) Oversight of postgraduate research degrees will be in accordance with a code of supervision and other policies, rules and procedures approved by the University's Research Studies Committee. (45) UWS will be fair and equitable in the use of its discretionary powers. (46) UWS will pay the Candidate all entitlements under the Award. (47) An Award holder must advise UWS within fourteen days in writing if he/she: (48) Candidates must: (49) Award holders may not engage in any academic course of study leading to a qualification that is not an essential part of their research program. (50) Nil. (51) Nil.Research Higher Degree Scholarship Policy - Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Section 2 - Definitions
Section 3 - Policy Statement
Part A - Eligibility
UWS Research Centre Membership
Part B - Tenure of the Award
Full Time Awards
Part Time Awards
Changing between Masters and Doctoral Studies
Suspension of Award
Part C - Termination
Provision of False Information
Part D - Stipend and Allowances
Stipend
Research Training Scheme (RTS) Funding
Centrelink Benefits
Part E - Leave Entitlements
Recreation Leave
Sick Leave
Part F - Employment
Research Overseas
Part G - Research at Other Institutions
Part H - UWS Obligations
Administration
Part I - Award Holder Obligations
Section 4 - Procedures
Section 5 - Guidelines
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