Postgraduate Supervision and Thesis Examination Policy

All education policies

1. Purpose

To assure high-quality supervision of postgraduate researchers and a rigorous, fair examination of theses leading to the award of research degrees.

2. Scope

This policy applies across Future University in Egypt — all faculties, the Dental Hospital, the training Pharmaceutical Factory, student housing and administrative units — and to students, faculty, staff and, where stated, contractors and suppliers.

3. Definitions

Supervisor

A qualified academic who guides a postgraduate researcher's work.

Thesis examination committee

A panel, including external members, that examines a research thesis and the candidate's defence.

4. Policy statement

• Every research candidate has a qualified supervisor (or supervisory team) with the expertise and capacity to guide the work.
• Supervision is regular, documented and supportive, with clear expectations on both supervisor and candidate.
• Theses are examined by a committee including qualified internal and external examiners, and the award decision is evidence-based and impartial.
• Supervision and examination uphold research integrity, authorship ethics and intellectual-property rights.

5. Procedures

1. Supervisors are appointed by the faculty postgraduate committee against eligibility and workload criteria.
2. Candidate and supervisor keep a record of meetings and milestone reviews; progress concerns are escalated to the department.
3. On completion, a thesis examination committee with external representation evaluates the thesis and conducts the defence.
4. The committee's recommendation is ratified by the faculty council and processed for award and equivalency.

6. Roles and responsibilities

• Supervisors — guide candidates and uphold research standards.
• Thesis examination committees — examine theses impartially.
• Faculty councils — ratify award recommendations.

7. Related policies

• Postgraduate Studies and Research Degrees Policy
• Research Ethics and Integrity Policy

8. Legal and cultural alignment

Follows the postgraduate examination bylaws of the Supreme Council of Private and National Universities and NAQAAE research-degree standards, and complements the Research Ethics and Integrity Policy. External examiners safeguard standards in line with international practice.

9. The policy in practice

The University applies this policy in its day-to-day work. Examples, by academic year, include:

Academic year 2021/2022

• August 2022 — the University applied it through the ROGE 2022 international conference with Oxford's Saïd Business School.

Academic year 2022/2023

• October 2022 — the University applied it through a cooperation protocol with SAP for digital-skills training.

Academic year 2023/2024

• August 2024 — the University applied it through ROGE 2024 on restructuring the global economy and promoting sustainability.

Academic year 2024/2025

• August 2025 — the University applied it through the 14th ROGE-2025 international research conference with CBER.

Academic year 2025/2026

• September 2025 — the University applied it through the renewal of its strategic partnership with University College Cork in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education.

Academic year 2026/2027

• October 2026 — the University applied it through its postgraduate graduation ceremony celebrating master's and doctoral graduates.

Together these show the policy at work across the University’s teaching, research and community life.

10. Monitoring and review

Reviewed at least every three years, or sooner if Egyptian law, regulations of the Supreme Council of Universities, or THE/accreditation requirements change. The policy owner is responsible for monitoring how it is applied.

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