Conclusion: Doctoral Education and Training – A Global Convergence?

Abstract

In this concluding chapter, we analyse differences and trends towards convergence in doctoral education and training in 12 countries. These have been grouped into four Asian, four continental European and four Anglo-American countries to be able to illuminate differences and similarities among world regions. The chapter is divided into three major sections. In the first section, we discuss a variety of issues pertaining to the changing nature of doctoral education and training which are notable in most of the countries selected for this comparison. In the second section, we analyse the institutional and organizational changes that are deemed necessary to accompany and support the new role doctoral education and training has in existing and emerging knowledge societies. In the last section, a detailed comparison among the countries and regions included in the analysis, the authors come to the conclusion that there is indeed a certain trend towards convergence which can be called ‘global’. Despite a few persisting differences most changes in doctoral education and training, doctoral education and training tend to shift towards a programme model with increased institutional responsibility.