Ius promovendi facts for kids

The ius promovendi is a special right in Dutch higher education. It means having the power to guide and approve students who are working on their highest university degree, called a doctorate. The name comes from Latin, and it means "the right to promote" someone to a higher academic level. A student working on this degree is called a promovendus, which means "one who is to be promoted."

What is the Ius Promovendi?

This special right allows a professor to be the main guide for a student earning a doctorate. A doctorate is the highest degree you can get at a university. It shows you are an expert in your chosen field.

Who Had This Right?

For a long time, only full professors in the Netherlands had the ius promovendi. These professors are called hoogleraren. Other university teachers could help students day-to-day. But only a full professor could be the official advisor, called a "promotor," when the student defended their research.

Changes in the Law

Things changed in 2017. The Dutch parliament, which makes laws for the country, passed a new rule. This rule allowed some associate professors to also have the ius promovendi. This meant more experienced teachers could now officially guide doctoral students.

The Ius Promovendi in Germany

The same Latin phrase, ius promovendi, is also used in Germany. There, it describes the right of universities to offer doctoral programs. It also means they can give out doctoral degrees to students who complete these programs.

Early Rules in Germany

At first, only traditional universities in Germany had this right. They were the only ones allowed to offer these advanced degrees.

Expanding the Right

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this changed. A famous education minister from Prussia, named Friedrich Althoff, helped make new rules. Because of his work, the ius promovendi was also given to technical universities. This meant more universities could help students earn their doctorates.