Increasing Time for Preparing a Candidate’s Dissertation and ‘Ageing’ of Young Scientists

Abstract

Many researchers note the existence of systemic problems in the training of highly qualified scientific personnel, in particular candidates of science. Statistical data indicate a decrease in the effectiveness of training, a reduction in the number of candidate dissertation defenses. The study used data from the annual reports of dissertation councils for 2012–2023. One of the problematic aspects of the postgraduate training system is the period of preparation of a candidate dissertation from admission to postgraduate school to the defense of the dissertation, which has increased to 6-7 years in recent years. Almost three quarters of annual defenses are defenses delayed after the completion of postgraduate school by a year or more. An increase in the time for dissertation preparation entails a decrease in the number of young candidates and doctors of science. Foreign postgraduate students, compared to Russian ones, try to defend their dissertations earlier. The study considered the hypothesis that the reason for delays in defending a dissertation may be the need to meet the requirement for the number of publications. The hypothesis was not confirmed. Most applicants for the degree of candidate of sciences begin their defense with the number of publications exceeding the minimum regulatory requirements. The authors suggest that the delay in preparing the dissertation is due to the lack of financial security for scientific research and suggest paying attention to the introduction of industrial postgraduate studies. On the other hand, in order to provide a postgraduate student with a longer period for preparing a dissertation, it is possible to start the dissertation research not from the moment of admission to postgraduate studies, but earlier – in themaster’s program. This requires advance (2-3 years earlier) planning of the target figures for admission to postgraduate studies.