# About the Doctoral School

**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/about
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/joint_phd

Contact: [doctoralschools@UGent.be](mailto:doctoralschools@ugent.be)

**Helpdesk:**

Veerle Delrue (email: [veerle.delrue@ugent.be](mailto:veerle.delrue@ugent.be); Teams: [Veerle Delrue](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/call/0/0?users=veerle.delrue@ugent.be&withVideo=true))

**Practical questions regarding reimbursement:**

Ariane D'Haese (email: [ariane.dhaese@ugent.be](mailto:ariane.dhaese@ugent.be); Teams: [Ariane D'Haese](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/call/0/0?users=ariane.dhaese@ugent.be&withVideo=true)

## Doctoral School Steering Group

The Doctoral School Steering Group is the body that determines the Doctoral School's strategic priorities. It advises the faculties and the university's administration on matters of doctoral education, and it makes sure that the university's policies align with those at the regional, federal, and European level.

[Steering group composition](https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/about/sg_compo)

## Our mission

The Doctoral School has a **three-fold mission**:

- Support doctoral students during their doctoral research by providing\
  - [Training and professionalization](https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/doctoraltraining/courses/catalogue.htm)
  - [Course funding](https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/doctoraltraining/courses/fundingopportunities/overview.htm)
  - Practical support through our [helpdesk](mailto:doctoralschools@ugent.be)
- Stimulate the quality culture in doctoral research;
- Promote the doctorate’s international and social image to potential researchers and the job market.

We have outlined our strategy for the next five years in our [strategic policy plan 2024-2029](https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/about/sbp2024-209).

## Quality assurance

- [Quality framework for doctoral education](https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/regulations/phdqualityframework.htm)
- [Charter for doctoral students and supervisors](https://codex.ugent.be/?regid=REG000088&lang=en)
- [Ombudspersons for doctoral students](https://www.ugent.be/en/research/doctoralresearch/ombudspersons-phd.htm)

## International mobility

Funding opportunities for incoming and outgoing international mobility:

- [Mobility Fund at Ghent University Faculties](https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/mobilityandsabbaticalfund.htm)
- [Scholarships or fellowships at Ghent University for international pre- or postdoctoral researchers](https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/overview.htm "Research funding")

## PhD career hub

Are you thinking about a career in academia or are you considering jobs outside of academia but don't know where to start?\
Visit the [PhD career hub](https://ufora.ugent.be/d2l/le/discovery/view/course/676452) to find out about career tracks for PhDs, learning and development opportunities and how to apply for jobs.

## Postdoc Career Hub

The [Postdoc Career Hub](https://www.ugent.be/postdoc/en) supports you in shaping and navigating your professional future. As your one-stop destination for career development, we provide the guidance, insights, and resources you need to take informed, confident steps beyond the postdoc phase—whether you see yourself continuing in academia, moving into industry, or charting an entirely new path.

## Stay connected: newsletter, e-mail

If you are enrolled as a PhD candidate, you should automatically receive our **monthly** **newsletter**. All courses, activities and events of the Doctoral Schools are first announced in this newsletter.

If you are not receiving the newsletter, you can sign up [here](http://eepurl.com/heoNrD). If you no longer wish to receive the Doctoral School newsletter, you can either unsubscribe or contact us at [doctoralschools@UGent.be](mailto:doctoralschools@ugent.be?subject=Unenroll%20from%20the%20Doctoral%20Schools%20Newsletter).

All communication from the Doctoral School will go to your  **UGent e-mail address**. Don't forget to [activate your account](https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/about/account.htm)!

## Our privacy policy

[Check our policy](https://www.ugent.be/doctoralschool/en/about/privacy.htm) with regard to data and film/photo.