{"id":3060,"date":"2024-06-01T21:48:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T19:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iusd.asu.edu.eg\/?page_id=3060"},"modified":"2025-12-01T18:26:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T16:26:32","slug":"about-the-programme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iusd.asu.edu.eg\/?page_id=3060","title":{"rendered":"About the Programme"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The PhD program in Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design (IUSD) is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary, international, interactive, and intercultural education. Building upon our success as a pioneering Master\u2019s program, this PhD program aims to cultivate a new generation of experts, decision-makers, practitioners, and academics. Our core vision combines academic excellence with on-the-ground actions to provide students with a transformative learning experience and unlock boundless opportunities for personal and professional growth. <\/span><\/p>\n

This immersive learning experience fosters a collaborative environment where students from diverse disciplines and backgrounds can engage with real-world issues, develop sustainable solutions, and contribute to the global dialogue on urbanism and design. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that students gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to shape the future of cities worldwide. <\/span><\/p>\n

 Duration of study:<\/b> <\/span><\/h3>\n

Duration of study is determined by the number of semesters allowed (fall and spring only, not including summer semesters), as the following: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ph.D.<\/span><\/td>\nDuration of Study (Semester)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minimum<\/span><\/td>\nMaximum<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/span><\/td>\n10<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

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The student must complete 18 credit hours of courses from the approved course lists and prepare a scientific thesis equivalent to 36 credit hours, totaling at least 54 credit hours to earn the Ph.D. degree.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Programme Timeline<\/span>
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The enrolled PhD students are required to study 18 credit hours of courses and prepare a scientific thesis equivalent to 36 credit hours, with at least 54 credit hours to obtain the Ph.D. degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Courses Track<\/span><\/h3>\n

With a total of at least 18 credit hours, the courses track is divided into:<\/span><\/p>\n

1.1 Core Courses<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0Upon enrollment, students begin with three core courses totaling 9 credit hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

1.2 Specialized Courses<\/span><\/h3>\n

In coordination with the main supervisor, students select courses that would provide knowledge and a better understanding of the research topic they are working on. Students may start these courses following the thesis topic registration, totaling at least 9 credit hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Aptitude Test<\/span><\/h3>\n

Students must pass an aptitude test after completing the core courses. In this test, an examination committee sets questions for the students, which they answer and present to the committee along with their developed research proposal. Once they pass the test, they can register their research topic and be assigned a supervisory committee. The aptitude test marks the beginning of students\u2019 focused research journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Research Track<\/span><\/h3>\n

The research track starts with PhD Proposal Development, in which the students develop their research plan parallel to the core courses with the guidance of an initial supervisory committee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the thesis topic registration, students may start their focused academic research process equivalent to 36 credit hours as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

3.1 PhD Research Phase 1 (12 Credit Hours)<\/span><\/h3>\n

During this stage, students gather information about the background of their study, review relevant literature, and collect data. This phase concludes with Seminar 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.2 PhD Research Phase 2 (12 Credit Hours)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Upon passing Seminar 1, students analyze the collected data, leading to conclusions and proposals. This phase concludes with seminar 2.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.3 PhD Research Phase 3 (12 Credit Hours)<\/span><\/h3>\n

The final phase involves finalizing thesis writing and completing the publishing of at least two research papers derived from their thesis. This stage concludes with requesting a public thesis defense and forming a judging committee.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Thesis Defense<\/span><\/h3>\n

Students defend their research to a judging committee formed by the program council. Upon positive evaluation, the committee will submit evaluation reports to the Program Council and then to the University for consideration to award the degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Start of the programme<\/b>
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For the Spring<\/span> Semester 2<\/span>5<\/span>\/2<\/span>6<\/span>, the study period will start <\/span>in<\/span> February<\/span> 202<\/span>6<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Who can apply and How:<\/b> (Eligibility and application requirements)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Applicants with an M.Sc. in engineering or equivalent academic degrees as recognized by Ain Shams University or a Master\u2019s degree in Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design, regardless of their original major.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To apply, please fill in our application form and make sure that you submit the following documents :\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. A filled in Application form<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. A Bachelor\u2019s degree certificate issued by a recognized Egyptian or foreign university.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. A Master\u2019s degree certificate issued by a recognized Egyptian <\/span>or a foreign university degree that has been officially equivalized to a Master of Science in engineering from the Supreme Council of Universities or have a Master\u2019s degree in Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. A <\/span>Master\u2019s<\/span> degree transcript\u202f<\/span><\/span>(English)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. A certificate of English proficiency from accredited bodies locally, regionally, internationally, or its alternative.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    *Whoever applies is required to submit evidence proving that he has obtained an International English Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS) with a grade point average of 6.5, or (TOEFL) with a grade point average of 79. It is also permissible to obtain a local exam certificate from Ain Shams University (TELP) with a score of 550. The programme board may exempt the applicant from this condition if there is proof of previous studies entirely in English or in case English is the applicant\u2019s mother tongue.\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6. A<\/span>n updated<\/span> C<\/span>.<\/span>V<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7. Two letters of recommendation (English, no longer than 350 words each)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Letters need to be signed and dated; one from an academic authority and the other from a work\u00a0\u00a0 authority.<\/i><\/p>\n

    \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 8. A motivation letter \u202f(English, no longer than\u202f350<\/i><\/b>\u202f<\/i>words)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please Note:<\/i><\/b>\u202fThe recommended content for your motivation letter is as follows: Why are you interested in this specific program \u2013 its content and its focus? What special qualifications and skills did you gain through your previous academic career that are relevant to this program and that you can build on? What specific professional experience do you have that will contribute to the aims of this program? How do you hope to develop your career after receiving the PhD degree?<\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9. A preliminary research proposal of 2500 words maximum (excluding references) outlining the research objectives, methodology, and significance\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10. Research competence statement\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The document should be of maximum 500 words and reflecting critically on your research methodology experience: discuss the methodological choices you have made across your scientific outputs (thesis, published articles, research projects); explain your rationale for these choices, challenges you encountered, and what you learned about the strengths and limitations of different approaches. Include consideration of how you addressed ethical dimensions in your research.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11. A sample of your scientific writing, preferably a published article. I<\/span>f not<\/span>, you may send <\/span>a working paper <\/span>or <\/span>your <\/span>MSc.<\/span> T<\/span>hesis.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a012. A copy of the national ID card or passport\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    Please send all the required documents as PDF files with title + your name to Phdapplications.iusd@eng.asu.edu.eg<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/span> From <\/span>01<\/span>.<\/span>12<\/span>.2025 till 04.<\/span>01<\/span>.2026 (For <\/span>Spring<\/span> 2025\/26)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    It will take a maximum of 4 weeks from the end of the call to assess all documents based on the following criteria:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n