How will I be supervised/ can I expect my Supervisor (s) to engage with me?
Yes, you can expect supervision to continue. It is important that you maintain clear and regular communication with your supervisor (s) as needed. You should consult with your supervisor, initially by email, to agree what mode of engagement would suit you both and progress from there. Supervision should continue as normal, agreeing deadlines, submitting written material, adopting feedback etc. can all be continued virtually and by agreement with your supervisor. RSP meetings can continue via virtual or remote meetings.
Microsoft Teams which is supported by MU IT Service, is the recommended virtual system for meeting with your supervisor remotely. If internet services are poor in your area, you can set up conference calls on your telephone. The important thing is to keep the lines of communication open with your supervisor.
What is an appropriate period in which to expect feedback?
This is specific to each student and their supervisor. It should be based on a schedule agreed between you and your supervisor/co-supervisor. Continue meeting virtually as frequently as you would have face to face and agree what kind of feedback will work best in the circumstances and how frequently feedback should be expected.
If I have planned/booked to attend a conference am I entitled to a refund?
In the current circumstances if a conference is cancelled refunds are usually processed via the conference organiser and the airlines are also processing refunds and alternative arrangements. Otherwise contact aileen.okeeffe@mu.ie.
All components of the Annual Progress Review Form can be completed by email, including obtaining signatures of the student, supervisor and members of the DRSPC. If an interview is requested by the DRSPC or the student, this can be conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams.
The possible outcomes for research student progression will be Progress on PhD; Progress with Conditions; Not Progress; Transfer to Research Masters Degree.
All research student progress review decisions will be ratified at the Autumn Exams board (and not in June). Departments may informally advise students of the outcome in advance.
What is the COVID-19: Research Student Semester Completion Fee?
All students are eligible to register for one semester without a tuition fee being payable for that semester subject to the criteria below:
- Students must be registered for the semester January -September 2020;
- Students are only eligible for the COVID-19: Research Student Semester Completion Fee directly after completion of the normal duration of the research programme. For example when registering as full-time PhD and Professional Doctoral students in year 5; full-time Research Masters students in year 3; part-time PhD students in year 7; and part-time Research Masters students in year 4;
- A student must be registered for the year prior to availing of the COVID-19: Research Student Semester Completion Fee.
Do I have to apply for the COVID-19: Research Student Semester Completion Fee?
No, Graduate Studies will advise Fees Office of student eligible for the COVID-19: Research Student Semester Completion Fee.
I am on an IRC scholarship but I am unable to undertake my field work, will this affect my scholarship?
Please go to the individual research funder websites for their COVID-19 contingency planning. Please note that HRB, IRC and SFI have issued a statement explaining their approach.
Please note that HRB, IRC and SFI have issued a statement explaining that they are taking a pragmatic approach and will give due consideration on a case- by-case basis to the following:
- Call deadlines
- Deadlines for progress reporting
- Deadlines for the return of award documentation
- Budget reallocations or exceptional charges to grants arising from travel/other restrictions
- No-cost extensions
- Restructuring of project deliverables and timelines for researcher mobility and collaborations, where direct adverse impact has occurred
Will my scholarship continue if I do not complete on time?
Please contact your supervisor in the first instance who will guide you as much as possible. Also contact your Scholarship funder for specific terms and conditions.
What are the implications for my stipend if I do not complete on time?
In most cases there will be no extension of stipend, unless specific additional funding is made available, for example, asa costed extension by a funding agency. Please discuss the situation with your supervisor in the first instance.
How do I apply for an IRC No-Cost Extension?
Please contact Aileen O'Keeffe at aileen.okeeffe@mu.ie
Normal Practice (non COVID 19):
Stipends are not paid to students until a student has applied for a PPS number online and a confirmation provided to payments offices & GSO. Irish bank account must be provided.
New students - located in Ireland and with PPS number:
Standard student pack forms must be completed at the start of the scholarship. Fees will be paid for the student. Stipend payments will be processed to students on monthly basis (Irish bank account must be provided).
New Students – located in Ireland and with-out PPS number:
A number of students are experiencing difficulties in obtaining PPSN. To address this issue, the Dean of Graduate Studies & VPRI Ray O’Neill has agreed to progress stipend payments, subject to specific conditions being met.
- Students must currently reside in Ireland.
- Fully completed student pack forms (Forms A-D) must be submitted to fundedresearchstudent@mu.ie.
- Irish bank details must be provided on relevant form (Form B). It is our understanding that students can manage to open a bank account without the PPSN.
- A copy / proof of PSSN application submission must be attached.
New Students – not located in Ireland and with-out PPS number:
Standard student pack forms must be completed at the start of the scholarship. Fees will be paid for the student. However, stipend payment will be processed retrospectively once the student locates to Ireland, for the period when COVID 19 related travel restrictions were in place. Irish bank account must be provided.
I need technical-support, but I cannot attend the campus – what should I do?
Contact your supervisor for support and work with your supervisor to see if there are alternative activities that could be worked on in this period.
How can I do my lab experiments if MU is closed?
A research student can use the lab, with permission from the HoD Students should observe all the precautions about hygiene and social distance.
What happens if I need to return to my homeplace and I have very poor internet signal/access, making it difficult to work remotely.
Keep your supervisor informed of this and see if there are alternative activities that could be worked on in this period.
Can I access my workspace on campus, work at my desk?
The campus will remain operational for those whose jobs or research require them to be physically present on site. However, the recommendation from the HSE is that those that can work/study from home should do so.
What facilities are open on campus?
The Library has re-opened for limited access to its physical facilities. Sports facilities, creche and restaurants will also be open and will operate within government guidelines. There will be fewer people on campus at any one time, but the facilities will generally be available.
Do I have to do complete a training course to return to campus?
All students on campus will have to complete an induction and training for safe practices as we learn to live with Covid-19.
