Lessons learned from transnational joint doctoral and cotutelle doctoral programs: strategies for sustainable development

Abstract

Background: To enhance the global impact, the universities shall ally deeply with their collaborators. Transnational educational programs are crucial modes to build a successful partnership and to make the collaboration sustainable.

Objectives: To report and conceptualize the important issues about transnational joint doctoral degree and cotutelle doctoral programs.

Methods: We reviewed and conceptualized the lessons learned from joint doctoral degree and cotutelle doctoral programs at the Graduate Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (CU) during the period of the past 4 years (October 2015 to September 2019).

Results: CU launched its first joint doctoral program in 2012. The curriculum was co-built by CU and the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. The strong support from the university-level as well as from the faculty-level is crucial for success. Graduates are well accepted to a variety of high profile universities. The administration of the program at the faculty-level needs careful attention from the students, perseverance of the joint program management team, and dedication from the supervisors of both universities. A cotutelle doctoral program of CU with Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia is also studied. The cooperation of the personnel at multi-level is essential for transnational educational program establishment.

Conclusion: CU has established a rather well-developed system in operating the transnational educational programs at the doctoral level. In order to keep these inceptions persistent, a multi-level supporting framework, a solid foundation of joint research along with joint capacity building of human resources are vital.