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PhD Programme
Programme Information
The aim of the PhD programme is to produce high quality educational
researchers, able and prepared to conduct research in the context
of the developing world with a focus on curriculum, teaching,
learning and leadership.
More specifically, the aims of the PhD programme are to:
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contribute to research-based knowledge on education in the
developing world
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increase research capacity through high-level research training
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develop expertise in addressing educational problems and educational
research needs of developing countries
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develop skills and qualities required for leadership roles
in planning, implementing and disseminating research, whether
within or outside the university context
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develop research-based understanding of knowledge and skills
required for leadership roles in curriculum, teaching and learning
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develop a critical and research-based understanding and expertise
in specific areas of development education and the role of education-in-development
in relation to the issues and problems facing developing countries.
Programme Structure
The PhD in Education comprises course work, internship, skill training
and research work leading to submission and defence of a thesis,
and if accepted, award of a PhD degree. The PhD programme is a full-time
programme that will normally take four years for completion.
An eight week pre-session for research skill training is required before the beginning of the programme.
The programme is divided into two parts. Part I is further sub-divided
into Year 1 (for formal course work) and Year
2 (for internship, advance skills training and writing of the
research proposal). Part II of the programme incorporates Years
3 and 4, and will focus on data collection, data analysis and
writing the thesis (see Figure 1).
Part I
Year 1: Course Work
The formal course work is spread over two 16-week semesters in
Year 1. The course work is distributed into three strands: (a) Educational
Research Methods; (b) Education and Development; and, (c) Educational Processes. Each strand consists of two courses as shown below.
| Strand |
Course 1 |
Course 2 |
| Educational Research Methods |
Research Methods I |
Research Methods II |
| Education and Development |
Theories and Concepts in Development Education |
Issues in Development and Education |
| Educational Processes |
Learning and Teaching |
Curriculum and Leadership |
As noted, developing an understanding of research in the relevant
context (developing countries) with appropriate focus on curriculum and leadership is seen as the raison d’être
of the PhD programme and all four years of the programme are seen
as contributing to it. Although Educational Research Methods, Development
Education and Curriculum and Leadership will be taught as distinct
strands, they will be interlinked through cross-referencing, common
activities and regular research seminar to which students and staff
contributes. A greater weighting will be given to the Educational
Research Methods strand as the vehicle for this integration.
Year 2: Internship and Research Proposal
Year 2 includes an internship in Semester 1. Semester 2 is devoted
to the development of a satisfactory research proposal. Extension
of research expertise, skill and understanding in an area of research
relevant to the chosen thesis will take place in both semesters.
Internship: An internship is a work-experience attachment
to a programme or an organization concerned with research and/or
development. The aim of the internship is to give the student a
broader experience (relevant not just to the proposed research but
to the responsibilities which he or she is likely to undertake upon
graduation) than they have received in their previous work. Such
attachments will be a unique feature of AKU-IED's development of
research capacity, and relate to the distinctive settings and needs
of Pakistan and the developing world.
Research Proposal: A satisfactory research proposal, setting
out the context, the question or problem, the main thesis, a thorough
literature review, the proposed research design, and some key readings
will be developed.
The course work, internship and the research proposal all have
to be successfully completed before progress can be made to Part
II of the programme.
Part II
Year 3 and Year 4
Part II of the programme (Years 3 and 4) will be spent in conducting
fieldwork, doing analysis and in writing the research thesis. Students
will produce an original thesis and are required to pass an oral exam as per
University regulations.
Programme Coordinator
Dr Nelofer Halai coordinates
the PhD Programme at AKU-IED.
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