DOCTORAL STUDY PROGRAMS IN EUROPE

For a long time, obtaining a PhD in Belgium and in a number of other E uropean countries was based on the philosophy of 'learning-by-doing' u nder the exclusive supervision of a promoter. The completion of the Ph D dissertation usually led to a research or staff position. Now? many of today's young scientists need to build their career outside the uni versity where employers are as interested in the applicant's skills as in their knowledge. Highly-qualified research scientists are needed i n many sectors of society but require a background in its political, e conomical and cultural dimensions? and additional management, social a nd communication skills, including the ability to speak other European languages. However, although the purpose of the doctorate is the crea tion of a multidisciplinary scientist with broad academic qualificatio ns, many research projects at present are restricted to subjects withi n a particular discipline. The acquirement of the 'social' skills thro ugh the 'learning-by-doing' concept proves to be very difficult, espec ially if one considers the increase of graduate students at present ti mes. Therefore, additional study programmes for doctoral students are required. In this paper the doctoral study programme of the University of Antwerpen is described, as well as a short survey of comparable in itiatives in Western Europe.