Abstract:

The main objectives of a new European Thematic Network entitled ‘Education and Research in Biosystems Engineering in Europe (ERABEE-TN)’ is to initiate and contribute to the structural development and the assurance of the quality assessment of the emerging discipline of Biosystems Engineering in Europe. ERABEE is co-financed by the European Community in the framework of the LLP Programme. The partnership consists of 35 participants from 27 Erasmus countries, out of which 33 are Higher Education Area Institutions (EDU) and 2 are Student Associations (ASS). 13 Erasmus participants (e.g. Thematic Networks, Professional Associations, and Institutions from Brazil, Croatia, Russia and Serbia) are also involved in the Thematic Network through synergies. On the whole, a large percentage of Institutions / Universities involved through their programs of studies and/or research activities in the evolving discipline of Biosystems Engineering throughout Europe, participate in the network
To date, very few Biosystems Engineering programs exist in Europe and those that are initiated are at a very primitive stage of development. The innovative and novel goal of the Thematic Network is to promote this critical transition, which requires major restructuring in Europe, exploiting along this direction the outcomes accomplished by its predecessor; the USAEE-TN (University Studies in Agricultural Engineering in Europe). It also aims at enhancing the compatibility among the new programmes of Biosystems Engineering, aiding their recognition and accreditation at European and International level and facilitating greater mobility of skilled personnel, researchers and students.
Within ERABEE, the working group 2 is dealing with mapping and promoting 3rd cycle studies (including European PhDs, etc) and support the integration of research at the 1st and 2nd cycle regarding European Biosystems Engineering university studies. During the last months, members of ERABEE have conducted a survey on the status of doctoral studies in Europe, and a scheme for promotion of cooperation and synergies in the framework of the 3rd cycle of studies and the European Doctorate in Biosystems Engineering in Europe.
This paper is presented as a result of the survey. The legal regulations and their extent on the different countries concerning the 3rd cycle are presented, along with the current schemes of 3rd cycle studies (e.g. whether they are based on individual supervision and tutoring or they are structured offering doctoral courses plus individual work research). The evolution and adaptation to the new EHEA in each country is also considered.
Some information was gathered on the emerging topics that will deal with Biosystems Engineering in the future and how these topics could be addressed by the new doctoral programmes on a European dimension.

Keywords:

third cycle, biosystems engineering, thematic networks, european higher education.