Mentor
While thesis, dissertation, or capstone project advising typically focuses on specific tasks, such as conducting scientifically and ethically sound research to benefit the community, a mentor takes a more comprehensive approach to advising. Mentors prioritize the mentee’s overall development and growth, incorporating the concept of cura personalis. They support their mentees in acquiring knowledge, skills, and values related to leadership and community service, offering guidance and encouragement.
This resource highlights key information from the Graduate Research Mentoring Framework. Read the full document here.
Roles of the Mentor and the Mentee
Mentoring is a reciprocal relationship and its success relies on the mutual fulfillment of the roles and responsibilities of the mentor and the mentee.
The Mentor:
Facilitates the mentee's development as an independent learner
Collaborates with the mentee to set targets and goals for completing the TDCP
Communicates and instills lifelong learning skills in the mentee
Provides constructive feedback and valuable advice in a timely fashion
Serves as a resource for information regarding policies, publications, professional networks, and career opportunities
Submits a report to the Chair on the mentee's progress at the end of the semester
The Mentee:
Develops their research plan following the department's research focus
Takes the lead in setting targets
Maintains regular communication with their mentor or adviser
Values the mentor's time and schedule
Takes responsibility for keeping informed about the administrative rules and requirements related to the TDCP process and completion
Submits progress reports on their work
Enrolls every semester during the course of the TDCP
Additionally, the mentor:
Creates a course plan consistent with the department’s research priorities and program learning outcomes (PLOs)
Implements the department’s graduate research guidelines and incorporates them into their teaching, which is reflected in the Canvas Learning Management System
Builds on the department’s research priorities
Graduate Research Plan
Together with their mentees, mentors are expected to clearly define and document shared expectations. To accomplish this, mentors and mentees can create the following:
General Timeline
This is a set of goals and targets agreed upon by the mentor and mentee which includes submission and turnaround periods from the mentee to the mentor and a target completion date for the Thesis, Capstone Project, or Dissertation. Since mentees may be at different stages of writing, timelines may be set individually instead of as a cohort.
Progress Milestones
This consists of mutual updates on the progress made and the challenges encountered during the writing stage. This may include updates on the progress of writing, data collection, and status of publication submissions, among others.
Progress Assessment
The Graduate Research Mentoring Framework aims to improve advising by creating more transparency in setting expectations and establishing feedback mechanisms. To accomplish this, the following assessment tools will be used to provide feedback and monitor progress. The General Timeline and Progress Milestones can be used to substantiate these assessment tools.
This is conducted once at the end of each semester (with optional mid-semester evaluation if needed) while the research is ongoing. The mentor and the mentee will provide updates on the progress made and challenges encountered.
The mentee submits a TDCP Mentor Evaluation form at the end of each semester. The Chair is responsible for overseeing all Progress Reports and Mentor Evaluations. Based on feedback from the mentor and mentee, the Chair may suggest helpful interventions to improve the situation.
This is conducted before graduation. Both the mentor and the mentee will provide progress reports to evaluate the overall success of the mentoring process.
Leave of Absence Policies and Expectations
A Leave of Absence (LOA) refers to the temporary separation of a student from Ateneo de Manila University for reasons other than academic or disciplinary actions. A student may need to take a LOA while writing their thesis for a variety of reasons, including personal, medical, or professional ones.
Policies
To take a Leave of Absence for a semester or longer, students need to complete a Request Form and meet the following requirements:
Have a good standing academically and behaviorally when submitting the request
Not enrolling in another school while on leave
If a student wishes to take a Leave of Absence for a semester they have not yet enrolled in, they need to complete the form by specific deadlines:
Ten (10) weeks after classes start during regular semesters
Three to four (3-4) weeks after classes start
Completing a Leave of Absence form is not equivalent to withdrawing from courses officially.
Enrolled students must complete a Load Revision Form to withdraw from classes officially.
The Leave of Absence policy only applies to students within the residency limit of five years at the master’s level and seven years at the doctoral level.
Expectations
Before submitting the Leave of Absence (LOA) request, the student needs to inform their mentor. It is advisable to have a conversation with the mentor/adviser before submitting the LOA request to discuss the following matters:
purpose of taking an LOA
intended period of absence
proposed revised TDCP timetable
scholarship constraints, if any
Mentors are not expected to engage in advising activities during LOA since mentees are not officially enrolled. The mentee may continue to work on the thesis/dissertation/capstone project without the supervision of the mentor/s.
Resuming Studies and Returning to Ateneo de Manila University
The student who is on leave must submit a progress report to their mentor and department chair/program director (cc OAVP-GradEd) at least one month before their return to Ateneo de Manila University to update them on their progress and discuss their re-entry plans. It is also important to discuss any anticipated difficulties in resuming and finishing their research work on schedule.
Extended LOA
If a student's LOA extends for more than two consecutive terms, they must request a reinstatement. This request should include a progress report and timeline of activities approved by both the mentor/adviser and the Department Chair/Program Director. For health-related reasons, the student also submits a medical certificate and doctor's clearance upon return.