The Doctoral Forum of Polish Universities has formulated postulates which they have sent to the campaign headquarters of parties and coalitions as well as to candidates for the Parliament and Senate. Amongst other topics, the postulates focus mainly on the improvement of the financial situation of doctoral students and on increasing their influence over the functioning of universities.

Doctoral students have decided to bring their situation to the attention of politicians prior to the elections and have formulated six postulates, each accompanied by a justification. They are awaiting the politicians’ replies before 19 October.

The postulates include:

1. an increase in the financing, or a change in the structure of the financing, of doctoral studies. From the start of their studies, each doctorate student should receive a grant to allow them to support themselves at least at a minimal level, with the more talented being able to supplement their income through external grants and scholarships.
2. decreasing the numbers of candidates accepted to third degree studies.
3. adapting the infrastructure to the needs of doctoral students with disabilities.
4. increasing the number of doctoral students in the universities’ collegial bodies.
5. setting a budget allowance for doctoral self-governing bodies (e.g. a particular amount per each doctoral student).
6. immediate focus on the question of doctoral scholarships included in income and the omission of scholarship loss while defining lost income.

The doctoral students’ entire letter to politicians is available (in Polish) at the site of the Doctoral Forum of Polish Universities.

Translation: Magda Moran and Sean Moran