The Buddy System Programme (BSP)

The Buddy System programme (BSP) is a Mentorship programme for the PhD students of the Biomedicine PhD programme in the UPF. It is designed to foster a supportive and enriching academic community within the institution. The BSP connects, in a personalized way and in an environment of trust, 3rd, 4th and 5th year PhD students with first year students of the PhD program in Biomedicine. The aim is to accompany and support 1st year doctoral students to guide them on their way to achieving their doctorate, through the knowledge, experience and expertise of students in more advanced courses.

We understand Mentoring as a process of a fixed duration, designed for 1 academic year, aimed at the person being mentored taking responsibility for their professional development and making their own decisions, with the support and inspiration of the mentor.

The program is born with an annual vocation and is coordinated by the MELIS Department. A Buddy System Committee with members from Doctorate Academic Committee, Biomedicine PhD secretary office and senior PhD students will be created to follow up the progress and satisfaction with the program. This initiative has the support of both the UPF PhD School and the MELIS PhD Association that have contributed to its design.

 

Who can participate?

Mentors

  • 3rd and 4th-year Biomedicine PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
  • Vocation to be a guide and counselor.
  • Empathy and ability to listen actively.
  • Commitment and availability, during the agreed time period, to develop the role of mentor, confidentially and reliably.
  • Be a model and reference for the UPF PhD community.
  • Increase the link with the UPF and its governing bodies.
  • Network and establish links with other PhD
  • Enhance skills in accompanying and developing people.
  • Participate in a Mentorship training course.
  • Have a badge certifying the task as a mentor.

Mentors will guide and support mentees in various academic and personal aspects in a confidential manner. Key tasks include:

  • Listen and understand the starting situation, the needs and objectives of the people being mentored.
  • Help identify strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities throughout the process.
  • Provide information about scientific, academic and social life in the research center.
  • Share experiences and facilitate networking opportunities. Inspire with the same life and professional trajectory.

Mentees

  • Being a 1st year student of the PhD in Biomedicine at the UPF.
  • Commitment, availability and flexibility throughout the process.
  • Willingness to be a mentor in the future.
  • Give impetus to the professional career.
  • Gain in personal growth, self-awareness, confidence and maturity.
  • Broaden perspective through the inspiration, guidance and
    resources provided.
  • Expand the network of contacts and social capital.
  • Acquire tools and knowledge to choose to be a mentor in the future.
  • Have a badge certifying the mentoring process followed.

What is expected from Mentees?

  • Engagement: Mentees are expected to actively participate in the mentorship relationship, seek guidance, and be receptive to feedback and advice.
  • Commitment: Mentees should show a willingness to learn and grow, engage in goal-setting discussions, and take initiative in their academic and professional development.

Coordination

The program is born with an annual vocation and is coordinated by the MELIS Department. A Buddy System Committee with members from Doctorate Academic Committee, Biomedicine PhD secretary office and senior PhD students will be created to follow up the progress and satisfaction with the program. This initiative has the support of both the UPF PhD School and the MELIS PhD Association that have contributed to its design.

The matching of mentors and mentees will be carried out by the Buddy System Committee and conducted based on a survey that will contain information about research institutions, research fields (whether they are computational or experimental), local or from abroad (mentors from abroad may be more helpful to mentees in the same situation) and language.

An in-person workshop will be offered to all mentors. The main objective of this course is to give participants practical tools that will help them to carry out their mentoring role, hence, allowing them to give better support to their mentees.

 

BS Programme content

The mentorship will typically last for one academic year, with periodic check-ins and support throughout specified as follows:

General informative session of the program

 November

Leaded by Buddy System Committee members for both Mentors and Mentees, aimed to get to know each other and get basic information about the program.This informative session will take place after the “matching” (assigning mentees to mentors) has been completed.

1st Kick off meeting

 December

Aimed to get in contact with your buddy, give/take “tips”, solve doubts, review the priority list (ranking priorities) and exchange general information and impressions about the PhD programme content and activities, including for example the MELIS PhD Association activities.

2nd meeting

March

Aimed to get track on the first academic term and peer reviewing the priority list (research & academic tasks), and ensure the well-being status of your buddy at his/her lab and at the research institution.

3rd meeting (end-of-BSP)

June/July

Aimed to perform an annual review (e.g., academic aspect, social life, fulfillment of the initial priority & task list, etc) and feedback about the BSP.