Skills Forge for Postgraduate Researchers Launched

Skills Forge, a web-based system for the management of postgraduate research degree programmes, has been launched as a pilot for all first-year students registered from 1 August 2009, with extension to all PGR students planned by October 2010.

Skills Forge, along with the Skills for Research Excellence programme, which replaces ASPIRE, is being introduced in response to consultations with students and supervisors. The online system replaces the current paper based ones for Personal Development Planning (PDP) and the regular monitoring and assessment processes required under the University’s regulations. The web based nature of the system leads to ease of use and permits it to serve as a single access point for all training courses across the University of Aberdeen. There will be a workbook for Skills Forge available in early January.

The six-monthly monitoring forms and annual assessment forms have been included and will be available to first-year students only as electronic forms within Skills Forge (to all students from October 2010). The system will automatically accommodate students starting at different times of the year.

As Skills Forge will be the only way for each PGR to report on progress, its use will be mandatory for students and their supervisors. The Graduate School will monitor the use of Skills Forge and, using a reporting tool, will regularly provide Heads of School with information on the completion of progress monitoring and assessment forms, and the uptake of skills training courses.

Our objective in introducing Skills Forge is to provide students and supervisors with an easy tool to help effectively manage the research degree. As we progress through this pilot year, we look forward to your views and feedback, all of which will help us design and incorporate improvements.

Further information is available at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/documents/skillsforge.pdf.

11 January 2010

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