Better support for graduate research students

A new office, designed to support higher degree research students with administration from application through to completion, has opened on campus.

“The vision for a Graduate Research Office (GRO) at ANU emerged from expansive discussions across the community about how best to support higher degree research candidates throughout their candidature. An agile, highly-specialized central administrative team, working in harmony with Schools and Colleges, will offer advice and support from pre-admission to thesis completion and examination. As GRO becomes embedded as the operational hub for HDR students, it will work collaboratively to greatly enrich the research training environment for both HDRs and their supervisors,” said Dean of Higher Degree Research, Professor Imelda Whelehan.

 “At ANU we are justly proud of our world-class MPhil and PhD programs and recognise that our HDR students are an essential part of our stellar research achievements. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensure the HDR experience at ANU is truly world class. We will provide a unique candidate experience appropriate to a new generation of graduates,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Professor Keith Nugent.

The new Graduate Research Office has brought together 15 professional staff which will work together across the following areas:

• HDR Pre-candidature (admissions and scholarships)
• HDR Candidature (enrolment, variations and progression)
• HDR Examinations (submission, examination and completion)
• HDR Supervision Development (administrative support for the new HDR supervision framework)
• HDR Support (Liaison, development, governance and case management)

As an interim, staff members from GRO will be on hand to answer student questions at the Di Riddell Student Centre, located inside Kambri from 1-3pm, Monday 18 February through to Friday 15 March.

From late March 2019, the GRO will be located at 121 Marcus Clarke Street. While refurbishments are being completed on the ground floor an interim counter for HDR Candidates to engage with the GRO will be established on Level 6 – date to be confirmed.

For more information on the GRO, email gro@anu.edu.au, telephone +61 2 6125 5777 or visit our website.