Doctoral schools: how can they help develop skills for careers across sectors?
Published: on 31.3.2026
UCM Vice-Rector for Science and Research, Prof. Ildikó Matušíková, and UCM Doctoral Academy Coordinator, Dr. Soňa Svetlíková, attended a professional event on working conditions in research on 19 March 2026 at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. The event, organized within the EURAXESS Slovakia initiative, opened a discussion on how to create a quality and attractive environment for researchers and support their career development.
At the same time, Vice-Rector Matušíková actively participated in a panel discussion on the topic of doctoral schools entitled "Doctoral schools: how can they help develop skills for careers across sectors?". In her contribution, she focused more strongly on presenting the functioning of the Doctoral Academy at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava
She highlighted specific experiences from its functioning - in particular the systematic support for the development of transferable skills of PhD students, such as project management, presentation skills or academic ethics. She also pointed out the importance of linking professional research with the development of soft skills, which enable PhD students to better apply themselves not only in the academic environment, but also outside it.
In the discussion, she also mentioned that an important element of the Academy is the creation of space for interdisciplinary cooperation and sharing of experience among PhD students, which in practice proves to be an effective tool for their professional and personal growth. One of the challenges she identified was the need to further expand these activities and strengthen cooperation between institutions at both national and international level.
The participation of UCM representatives thus contributed to the exchange of examples of good practice and to the discussion on the future direction of doctoral schools in Slovakia.
