Watch this video, where we briefly explain the YUFE pilot on ‘Doctoral Learning’!

The YUFE Alliance (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) is based on the joint vision of ten young research-intensive universities and two non-academic partners located all across Europe with a shared dedication to the European spirit and the common aim to contribute to a more competitive, innovative and united Europe and the ambition to help address today’s challenges.

Continuing their work on a vision for joint European education and alliance-wide career support, a part of this vision is to stimulate responsible research through piloting the YUFE DIOSI Model for Doctoral Learning (Developing and Implementing hands-on training on Open Science and Open Innovation).

As a YUFE partner, the University of Antwerp is now piloting the YUFE DIOSI model from May 2024 until mid 2025. The pilot consists of the following sub aspects that all the pilot participants can actively participate in as a whole:

  1. evaluation of the embedding of the YUFE-DIOSI vision on Doctoral Learning at UAntwerp;
  2. internationally organised non-discipline specific training sessions;
  3. a personal development plan;
  4. a research plan;
  5. a non-academic mentor as additional career and personal development support.


What’s in it for you as a doctoral researcher:

  • personal growth (increase in personal skill set, employability, and self-confidence) and increase in awareness of your acquired competencies through a personal development plan and access to courses from other YUFE universities;
  • expansion of your international network (both your academic and personal network) and the possibility to learn from peers;
  • ability to steer your career through additional mentorship in career possibilities (non-academic mentor).


Are you still interested in participating in the YUFE Pilot on ‘Doctoral Learning’? Send an email to Karolien.vanDessel@uantwerp.be and/or Kristien.Daems@uantwerp.be to apply.


Timeline of the YUFE pilot 'Doctoral Learning' at UAntwerp

Click on the image below to enlarge:

MOOC: Massive Open Online Course

The YUFE DIOSI Model for Doctoral Learning

The YUFE DIOSI Model for Doctoral Learning was created as part of the DIOSI project, coming to terms with doctoral learning in a changing higher education environment and thus finding itself at the crux between research, education, and innovation.

The model is based on the following five principles as part of a holistic take on doctoral learning:

  • a joint vision on doctoral learning with three main desired outcomes for a YUFE DIOSI PhD holder (1);
  • an overarching framework for the doctoral programme that acknowledges diverging expert visions on the ideal learning format(s) for the doctorate, which includes:
    • transferrable skills training (2);
    • formal and informal learning (3);
    • an extended thesis reflection (4);
  • a strategic reframing of supervisory relationships (5).

Click on the image below to enlarge:


Would you like to know more?

Rewatch our online info session (VIDEO) with more detailed information or find more information on our handouts of the info session. Here are some timestamps from the video:

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 2:46 YUFE & YUFE's approach to doctoral and postdoctoral learning
  • 7:13 Background information on the DIOSI-project
  • 9:35 YUFE pilot 'Doctoral Learning' across YUFE institutions
  • 10:24 Why this pilot on 'Doctoral Learning'
  • 14:09 The YUFE DIOSI Model on 'Doctoral Learning' explained
  • 21:59 The YUFE pilot on 'Doctoral Learning' at the University of Antwerp with five sub aspects
  • 23:54 1st sub aspect: evaluation of the embedding of the YUFE-DIOSI vision​ on Doctoral Learning at UAntwerp
  • 26:29 2nd sub aspect: internationally organised non-discipline specific training sessions
  • 29:05 3rd sub aspect: a research plan
  • 32:39 4th sub aspect: a personal development plan
  • 35:20 5th sub aspect: a non-academic mentor as additional career and personal development support
  • 39:25 Practical information & timeline

If you want to know how YUFE wants to work on their vision for joint European education, specifically for doctoral and postdoctoral learning, watch this video on how they will stimulate responsible research through piloting the YUFE DIOSI Model for ‘Doctoral Learning’ in the YUFE pilot on 'Doctoral Learning' and a YUFE postdoctoral training model and tracking framework in the YUFE pilot on 'Postdoctoral Training and Development'.

​If you have any additional questions, you can contact Karolien.vandessel@uantwerp.be and/or Kristien.Daems@uantwerp.be.