Doctoral programme Hecse gained 25 student slots for years 2012-15
Hecse, the doctoral programme (formerly 'graduate school') in computer science jointly run by the University of Helsinki and Aalto University, has received Finnish Academy funding for 25 students for years 2012-2015.During the period up until 2011, there have been 20 funded slots, so the increase is considerable.
The competition for funding is tough; of the over 2,000 slots applied for, only 700 received funding. Hecse received all 25 posts it applied for. In addition, Hecse gained a considerable amount of operational funding.
The primary criteria for the decisions were the high scientific and operational standard of the doctoral programmes, the need for holders of doctoral degrees on the job market, the international work of the programmes, and their profitability.
- Academy bulletin (www.aka.fi)
The Academy's evaluation report on Hecse includes the following::
The education [in Hecse] takes various, well organised forms (lectures courses, seminars, summer and winter schools). An international element plays a considerable part in the teaching, both when it comes to lecturers and students. The postgraduate students take an active part in the international doctoral seminars. Annually, five top experts give intensive lecture courses. -- The contacts between Hecse and the industry and business world are excellent. -- The core skills of the programme are vital for research in information technology and for the innovative and competitive advantages of the ICT industry.
As Hecse enters the new funding period, Professor Petri Myllymäki takes over the lead from Professor Hannu Toivonen at the beginning of 2012, while Greger Lindén continues as the coordinator of the programme.
In addition to the department-administered Hecse, FICS also received funding: the five slots that were incorporated from Combi into FICS will continue in the period 2012-15. No other funding for doctoral programmes in computer science was awarded in the Helsinki metropolitan area, in spite of numerous applications.
More details about Hecse: http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/hecse/
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