Abstract:

The analysis, research and reflections in this article are focused on the problems of preparing doctoral students in various forms of education – full-time, part-time and the so called individual form of study. In order to provide scientific and administrative support for the specific training in the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), Sofia, Bulgaria, the Institute for Research and Training of Doctoral Students to ULSIT was established by a Decision of the Council of Ministers. Its creation has become an innovative and specific form of work of a modern doctoral school.

The application of such approach in the functioning of this doctoral school stems from the peculiarities of the tasks assigned to it. In addition to conducting research on various topics, mainly related to improving the methodology of research, the academic staff of the Institute consults and personally participates in each of the stages of education and training of doctoral students. The creation of such a structural unit within the University turned out to be a very promising move with huge potential.

Only within the last ten years with the participation of researchers from the Institute have been accepted, enrolled and trained doctoral students in various forms of education, as follows: full-time – 115; part-time - 242 and individual study - 356. More than half of the doctoral students in the individual study programs are from Austria, Germany, Kosovo, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Albania, Kazakhstan, Israel, Italy and Turkey. A very strong support of the University in the training of doctoral students from abroad was provided by the Austrian Accreditation Agency, which accredited all doctoral degree programs of ULSIT, as well as a number of master's programs. This has made doctoral studies at ULSIT visible, not only in Europe but also outside it.

The training of doctoral students focuses on the quality of their education and research. Therefore, in addition to the requirements set by the Law for the development of the academic staff in the Republic of Bulgaria and the Regulations for its implementation, the Academic Council of ULSIT, with its decisions, added additional requirements to both: the procedure for enrollment of candidates for doctoral studies, and the learning process. The Candidates for admission in full-time and part-time educational forms develop an idea of Concept on which they will conduct their dissertation research in addition to the entrance oral exam and the questions from the syllabus in the admission competition.

The candidates in an individual form of doctoral studies, present to the host unit the Concept of their doctoral research, in addition to the required by law main part of the dissertation, which then they defend. (This Concept consists of: state of the art of the investigated problems, significance of the research issue, object and subject of the dissertation research, main goal and objectives, research tasks, methodology and hypotheses).

During their studies, admitted doctoral students participate in specialized courses, assist the supervisors in their teaching activities, review a large volume of scientific literature, publish scientific articles and participate in scientific forums.

Keywords:

Doctoral studies, doctoral students, experience in education, concept.