The PhD Programme “Advanced Catalytic Processes for Using Renewable Energy Sources” (ACCESS) is an international industrial PhD programme, carried out in collaboration with universities, foreign research institutions and industrial partners, in accordance with Article 11 of the University Regulations.
Industrial Partners
The PhD Programme is supported by the following partner companies:
- Versalis S.p.A. (Italy)
- Casale S.A. (Switzerland)
- Tefchem (Italy)
Academic and Research Institutions Involved
The PhD Programme also involves leading academic and research institutions:
- University of Calabria (Italy)
Two professors and one researcher participate in the PhD Board. The scientific collaboration is well established, with more than ten joint publications in the last five years. Mobility periods for PhD candidates at this institution are envisaged. - University of Antwerp (Belgium)
A fully accredited public university with approximately 1,700 PhD candidates. Despite its recent foundation (2003), it holds an excellent position in international rankings (THE Millennials, QS Under 50, THE Young Universities). - European Research Institute of Catalysis – ERIC AISBL (Belgium)
The PhD Coordinator serves as President of the Institute, in which several members of the PhD Board are also involved. ERIC AISBL contributes to training activities on intellectual property, European project design and scientific communication. - University of Adelaide (Australia) and Technische Universiteit Eindhoven – TU/e (The Netherlands)
International partners of the ERC Synergy SCOPE project, supporting research activities, advanced training and international mobility of PhD candidates.
The ACCESS PhD Programme has a strong international orientation, stemming both from its origin within the ERC Synergy SCOPE project, which involves the main programme partners, and from the consolidated network of international scientific collaborations maintained by the PhD Board.
In support of internationalisation activities, it is worth noting that the PhD Coordinator, Prof. Gabriele Centi, is President of the European Research Institute of Catalysis (ERIC AISBL), based in Brussels, which brings together 24 European institutions engaged in joint activities in the field of catalysis, and is also President of the International Association of Catalysis Societies (IACS).
International Mobility and Cooperation
The PhD Programme promotes international mobility through:
- exchanges of faculty members and PhD candidates with Italian and foreign universities and research centres;
- research periods abroad;
- the possibility of awarding double, multiple or joint degrees, in agreement with partner universities.
Starting from the 39th cycle, ACCESS has been structured as an Industrial PhD Programme, with the participation of seven companies, including two international partners. The PhD Board also includes faculty members from foreign universities (Belgium, United Kingdom, Australia) and representatives of international institutions and companies (including Casale S.A. and ERIC AISBL), further strengthening the programme’s international profile.
All PhD candidates are required to undertake mandatory mobility and internationalisation periods, including placements at partner companies as foreseen for Industrial PhD Programmes (DM 117). Research activities take place in a highly international environment, with numerous PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and visiting scientists from abroad. PhD candidates also participate in international training schools and European and international research projects.
Incoming and Outgoing Mobility
Structured incoming and outgoing mobility schemes are in place with Italian and foreign institutions. The PhD Board includes faculty members from Italian universities (in addition to the University of Messina, also the University of Calabria) and from foreign universities (University of Antwerp – Belgium, University of Warwick – United Kingdom, TU/e Eindhoven – The Netherlands, University of Adelaide – Australia), as well as researchers from national and international companies.
Partner institutions provide expertise, research infrastructures and advanced instrumentation to support research activities and host PhD candidates during mobility periods.
Double, Multiple and Joint Degrees
During the 36th–38th cycles, joint degrees (co-tutelle) were activated.
Starting from the 39th cycle, the possibility of double, multiple or joint degrees in agreement with partner universities is assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the PhD candidate’s individual training plan and the training periods scheduled abroad.