PhD Oral Exam - Ingy Bakir, Education

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

Work-integrated learning (WIL) programs operate across academic institutions, workplaces, and labour markets. Coordination across these boundaries determines placement quality. When coordination fails, students experience poor placements and institutions struggle to ensure consistent outcomes. This program of research examines coordination challenges through three studies. Study A conducted an integrative literature review of 82 articles. Study B surveyed 99 students about 159 placements. Study C interviewed 12 coordinators from six universities. Findings show researchers working in disciplinary silos, 49% of placements self-organized without institutional support, and marginalized coordinator expertise. These patterns reveal a common problem. WIL requires coordination across organizational boundaries, but institutions treat coordination as peripheral. The Boundary Spanning Framework for Work-Integrated Learning (BSF-WIL) addresses this gap. The framework identifies four dimensions where fragmentation occurs and two mechanisms that undermine coordination effectiveness. This provides institutions with diagnostic tools to enhance placement quality and clarifies where further research is needed.