Recommendation(s): 31

Recommendation 31: We recommend to institutions of higher education that they should, over the next two years, review their postgraduate research training to ensure that they include, in addition to understanding of a range of research methods and training in appropriate technical skills, the development of professional skills, such as communication, self-management and planning.

5.12 Postgraduate education was the subject of a separate review in 1996-97 (the Harris report). The recommendations of that review are currently being implemented. The Government looks to the institutional representative bodies, the institutions themselves, the Higher Education Funding Councils and the Research Councils to continue to take forward this work and also the recommendation by the Dearing Committee that postgraduate research training should include the development of professional skills, such as communication, self-management and planning.

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