To provide a relationship in which MIG member representatives can interact in a direct and personal level with our students, we have developed the Co-Advisor Program. A qualified individual from a MIG member company serves as a co-advisor on a student thesis. His (her) role is like that of a faculty advisor, actively participating in research supervision jointly with the MIT faculty advisor. When appropriate, some of the work is carried out at the member company under the supervision of the co-advisor. The program provides for close interaction with the student, MIT faculty advisor and the MIG member company representative (co-advisor).
Program Guidelines - The MIG Co-Advisor Program was formally approved by the Microsystems Industrial Group (MIG) Advisory Board on May 23, 1990. It has been approved by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Committee on Graduate Students, which is responsible for graduate degree programs.
Goal - To create close links between MTL research programs and corresponding activities at MIG companies.
Approach -An individual from a MIG member company serves as a co-advisor on a student thesis. His (her) role is like that of a faculty advisor, actively participating in research supervision jointly with the MIT faculty advisor. When appropriate, some of the work is carried out at the member company under the direct supervision of the co-advisor. When the work is done at MIT, regular visits either by the co-advisor to MIT or by the student to the MIG company ensure sufficient contact to make the co-advisor role meaningful. The intent is that the co-advisor act like a faculty mentor, helping the student develop to his (her) fullest potential.
Benefits - To the student and MIT research program: Active participation by leading industrial scientists. To the MIG member company: Close ties to research relevant to the needs of that company, and opportunities to stimulate key staff members through direct participation in university research.
Selection of Projects and Co-Advisors- Specific projects are to be of a research nature (as opposed to commercial process or product development). Projects and co-advisors are to be paired up by mutual agreement among: (1) the faculty advisor, (2) the co-advisor (and his/her management), (3) the student, and (4) the research sponsor for the project. Approval for MTL will be made by the Director. For industrially-sponsored projects, explicit approval of the Co-Advisor arrangement by the sponsor is required.
Visits and Costs - Frequent visits between the student and co-advisor are expected. The proposed guideline is once each month, extendable to once every two months when necessary. Costs for travel (whether by the co-advisor to MIT or by the student to the MIG company) will be paid by the MIG company. Where appropriate, arrangements can be made for the student to do a portion of the research at the MIG company under the direct supervision of the co-advisor. Direct costs for research performed at the MIG company will be paid by the company.
MIT Status of Co-Advisor - The co-advisor will receive an appointment as Research Affiliate (unpaid) in the School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Company Status of Student and Faculty Advisor - Neither the student nor the faculty advisor are considered employees of the MIG company.
[ PDF Co-Advisor Application - PDF ]
