The programme encourages the maximum freedom in the relationship between student and supervisors. This includes the composition of the curricular training courses, where supervisors play a key role.
Students are assigned a mentor per key institution with whom they meet at least once a year. They are encouraged to discuss with the mentor the progress of their work or any possible problems related to their stay at the institution. The mentor informs the supervisors on his perception of the status of the student; identifies and reports, to the PD, potential issues and problems; proposes and implements solutions to address these.
In case of need, students may also contact directly the PD and the other members of the DB.
At the end of each academic year, supervisors and student prepare a common short progress report to be submitted to the PD and integrated in the draft report.
Monitoring procedures established by IST and EPFL are adopted. At EPFL, students of EPFL track are subjected to a formal examination. Normally, this occurs at the end of the first year. The jury is composed of the supervisors and 1 or 2 external professors of EPFL. The examination consists of a presentation followed by questions raised by the examiners. Students who fail are given a second chance; in case they fail again, they are excluded from the programme.
At IST, students and supervisors submit, to the approval of the Coordinator of the IST/CEng PhD programme, the research plan, the curricular training plan. In the case of LNEC track, students and supervisors must also submit the names of 2 researchers to integrate the CAT (Thesis Committee) together with the supervisors. One of the elements of CAT is a researcher from LNEC. Before students’ admission, two researchers evaluate the merit of research and curricular plans and make recommendations to be accommodated in the PhD plan. Until the end of the second year, students present a seminar to the CAT. Students revisit the aims of the research, the methodology, the work carried out and the future work. CAT members evaluate the progress and make recommendations for the future.
Students of EPFL track are excepted of the CAT seminar if they succeed the examination at EPFL.
Students representatives are regularly consulted on the performance of the programme by the DB.
Students participate in an annual workshop held at IST, LNEC or EPFL, aiming at promoting discussions between them and supervisors. Other researchers/professionals may be invited to participate, providing an opportunity to connect students with the industry and other aspects of hydraulics research.
Students of LNEC track pass the final thesis examination at IST. The final examination of EPFL track students is carried out at either of the institutions (IST or EPFL).