1. Responsibilities applicable to all parties
1.1 Project Ownership, Intellectual Property and Confidentiality
- After discussion, it should be defined whether the ownership of the project, final report and any associated intellectual property will be held by the Student or the Organisation.
- Publication by either party in relation to the research shall be subject to the other party’s consent, and such consent should not be unreasonably withheld.
- If the Student relies upon any intellectual property rights that belong to the University as part of their dissertation, the Organisation may not use such rights without the consent of the University’s representative in writing. If use is permitted of any material then the Organisation uses such material at their own risk, all implied warranties are excluded. The Student and the University shall have no liability if such material is used by the Organisation.
- A separate confidentiality agreement is available if necessary.
1.2 Liability
- It is recognised that there will be instances where the original project may change throughout the project life cycle. Such delays and changes need to be discussed with the Student and, if required, the University Supervisor as soon as possible to avoid further delays and possible project failure. Unforeseen and extenuating circumstances do happen, but it is essential that the Organisation and Student seek to avoid these where possible.
- The Organisation has a duty to manage the Student’s delivery to ensure they receive their intended outputs from the project as agreed in the initial project plan. If the project cannot be completed and following discussions a new project cannot be designed and undertaken in the time period, the Student and the University cannot be liable if the Organisation’s deadlines are not met. Conversely, the Organisation cannot be liable if the student’s deadline is not met and the idealised project outcome cannot be achieved due to reasons beyond their control.
2. Responsibilities of the student
- In conjunction with the collaborative dissertation deadlines, the student MUST ensure they meet all the necessary academic deadlines associated with a dissertation.
- Ensure that the research topic will allow them to meet the academic requirements of the dissertation.
- The student MUST seek Ethics approval if the research will include the use human subjects. Support for this will be provided by the University of Glasgow Supervisor.
- To act in a professional manner and be respectful of the culture and working practices of the Organisation, whilst representing the University.
- The Student, in conjunction with the Organisation, will be responsible for appropriate sourcing and referencing of data, and handling commercially sensitive or confidential data in accordance with any required standard imposed by the Organisation.
- Be aware of any issues relating to confidentiality, data protection, and intellectual property (IP) rights.
- Make the Organisation aware of any special requirements (e.g. relating to medical or additional support needs).
- Submit an Executive Summary to the organisation within 2 weeks of the submission of the dissertation.
- Must make the University representative (academic supervisor or College Employability Office) aware of any issues or concerns at the earliest opportunity.
- Seek approval from the organisation for the wider publication of the Executive Report (student’s LinkedIn Profile, UofG website etc).
3. Responsibilities of the organisation
- To provide an Organisation Supervisor to act as the main point of contact for the student and who will facilitate data collection (introductions to candidates to interview, sharing of secondary data etc.) The mentor is NOT a supervisor and as such is NOT responsible for shaping the research.
- To indicate which data sources and information provided are confidential and should be suppressed in the final report, allowing the Student time to amend the project output accordingly. Confidential data provided by the company should be marked as such when provided to the Student.
- Advise the students of any issues relating to Confidentiality, data protection and intellectual property rights.
- To monitor the Student’s project inputs on an on-going basis, whilst ensuring that the project remains exclusively the work of the Student.
- To provide feedback to the university on the effectiveness of the process, quality of the project and engagement of the student during the project period.
- To contact the University Supervisor immediately, if there is a problem, complaint or grievance.
- To seek approval from the student for the wider publication/use of their research.
4. Responsibilities of the supervisor
- Review the project scope with the Organisation to ensure it meets academic requirements and learning outcomes.
- Work with the student to establish if Ethics approval is required.
- Engage with the Student during the project to offer appropriate guidance.
- Support the student in the case of concerns, where issues have been brought to attention by the Student or Organisation.
