Photo Guy Ackermans Have you ever wondered what WUR’s position would be in a ranking on equality and equity in the treatment of PhD candidates? Particularly in relation to PhD students without an employment contract, the majority of whom are international students. If we were to do a survey on this, the outcomes would send shockwaves through campus, revealing extreme disparities, inequalities and inequitable treatment of international PhD candidates.
The 2023 WUR PhD survey paid no attention to the remuneration of the PhDs without a contract (half of all PhD candidates); it focused mainly on supervision, training, educational possibilities and well-being.
Despite the silent resistance to this critical topic, the remuneration of international PhD students without a contract is a key element in the quest for equality and equity. But the WUR administration and its policymakers are not addressing this issue.
This begs the question, who really cares?
WUR regards its researchers as its capital and the over 2,400 PhD students as the backbone of research work. WUR attaches a high priority to the quality of the research, scientific integrity and the code of conduct. However, apparently that doesn’t mean better and equal pay for PhD students. The topic is covered up with unending narratives and fictitious contracts. This begs the question, who really cares?
Equality and equity for international PhD students is not just the responsibility of WUR’s administration in the Atlas building. The research groups in Lumen, Gaia, Radix, Zodiac, Helix and Lebo also have a significant role, as do WUR’s satellite research institutions. They too need to re-examine their financial sustainability strategies in their international PhD programmes. A call to action is needed within WUR’s PhD community, regardless of their different categories, to reinstate the full-time PhD council members on the WUR Council. The issues affecting the PhD community shouldn’t be discussed in dialogue sessions that never lead to any results. After all, you’ll never bake a cake in an unplugged oven.
The issues affecting the PhD community shouldn’t be discussed in dialogue sessions that never lead to any results
WUR’s success is founded on every member of the WUR community and everyone should feel motivated and part of a meaningful journey. That is why the unequal treatment of international PhD candidates is important to everyone. We need to decolonize the WUR research ecosystem. Everyone is entitled to equality and equity, not just a few.
Joshua Wambugu (41), from Kenya, is a PhD candidate in the Marine Animal Ecology and Environmental Policy groups. He is a Social Safety Guide and loves cooking, hiking and birdwatching.
