Dear doctoral students,
in its last meeting on March 24, 2020, the representatives of the Doctoral Student Council discussed the current pandemic situation. In particular, possible problem arising from restrictions for doctoral candidates at the Technische Universität Braunschweig due to this special situation were discussed. The Doctoral Student Council unanimously adopted the "Recommendation of the Doctoral Student Council on Doctoral Studies during the Corona Crisis" and forwarded it to the Presidential Board.
Specifically, the Council of Doctoral Candidates asks the Presidential Board that
- if possible, employment contracts can be extended accordingly
- an arrangement is found to be able to complete a doctorate even without the necessary GradTUBS courses
- applications for admission to or opening of the doctoral program continue to be processed and decided
- in cases of urgency, disputations can still take place.
We are very happy to share with you the answer of the Presidium to our points.
Answer from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla for the Presidium dated April 06, 2020:
In principle, we agree with the proposals and these are also already implemented or considered in all faculties. From the discussion in the Dean Round (german: Dekanrunde) we would like to add the following:
Regarding 1): The necessity/possibility of extending employment contracts is examined on a case-by-case basis. In principle, an extension is possible if funding is secured and if the legal provisions of the WissZeitVG permit an extension. Currently, an extension of the maximum fixed-term period under the WissZeitVG beyond the six-year period is unfortunately not possible due to a time delay caused by the Corona crisis. We also do not know whether the legislator will consider such an exception and adapt the law. To avoid personal difficulties, we would like to ask you to deal with the time limits of your doctoral phase according to the WissZeitVG and to stringently pursue your doctoral goal despite the aggravated conditions due to Corona. Should the legislator make an exception due to the Corona crisis and adapt the law, and should the possibility of continued funding also exist after Corona, use will be made of this at the TU Braunschweig. However, please do not trust in such an exemption and be prepared that you will have to do your doctorate under the same labor law conditions as before, despite Corona. If you have any questions regarding the duration of your doctoral phase, please do not hesitate to contact the responsible person in the Human Resources Department.
Regarding 2 ) The faculties agree in principle that GradTUBS courses, which in some faculties must be taken as prerequisites for the doctorate, can be dispensed. However, this is examined and decided on a case-by-case basis within the framework of hardship regulations. In parallel, GradTUBS is preparing to offer various courses in online formats.
Regarding 3) and 4) All faculties allow admissions and openings of doctorates as well as disputations, these in compliance with the currently applicable protective measures.
Update as of 08.04.2020
The BMBF has announced changes to the WissZeitVG in a press release. The press release states, among other things:
"Due to the current exceptional situation, the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG) will be supplemented by a temporary transitional regulation: the maximum term limits for scientific and artistic staff in their qualification phase will be extended by the period of pandemic-related restrictions on university and scientific operations. Qualifying employment relationships in place between March 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020 may be extended an additional six months."
The full press release can be found here (German only)
