The General Assembly of the Doctoral School of Automatic Control and Computers is scheduled for July 9, 2024; the agenda includes a discussion of key legislative, administrative, and organizational updates for 2024.
1. The new IOSUD POLITEHNICA 2024 Regulation
Drafted based on Law no. 199/2023 and Ministry of Education Order no. 3020/2024, the regulation introduces essential changes:
- Flexibility and types of doctoral studies: credit recognition through academic mobility and the introduction of the dual doctorate in partnership with economic operators.
- Funding and representation: a minimum of 20% of grant funding is allocated to research and mobility. At least 20% of doctoral students must undertake internships abroad. Doctoral students hold 25% representation within the CSUD (Council for Doctoral Studies).
- Status and organization: the doctoral school is treated as a department. Staffing plans include all doctoral supervisors and doctoral student positions. Leadership (the director and the council) is elected via direct, secret ballot.
- Guidance and evaluation: starting with the 2026-2027 academic year, a supervisor may simultaneously coordinate a maximum of 8 doctoral students (exceptionally 12, with approval). Coordination is supported by a guidance committee (3 members, with at least one from outside the university).
The program includes 7 research reports.
- Completion of studies: the thesis may be written in either standard or article format (provided the doctoral student is the first author). Rigorous anti-plagiarism checks and strict procedures for the public defense are being implemented.
2. Admissions, new members, and habilitations
The 2024 admission process includes a continuous registration period (April–September), supported by clear evaluation forms and dedicated committees for the fields of Systems Engineering (IS) and Computers and Information Technology (CTI). The SD-AC team has expanded to include new members and faculty members currently undergoing the habilitation process.
3. Thesis defenses and events
As of July 1, 2024, 13 thesis defenses have taken place (7 in CTI, 6 in IS). The defense procedure is changing effective October 1, 2024. Announced events include Doctoral Students’ Day (September 2024), the Studio et Opere Excellens awards, as well as elections and activity reports scheduled for the end of 2024.
