For the first time, Universities all over Europe celebrate this year the European Doctoral Day. The National Network of Doctoral Schools (RnED) promotes therefore a public online debate (in Portuguese) which will take place on May, 12, at 6h00 p.m., dedicated to the issue "Fazer um doutoramento? Porquê?".

As an original piece of research, a PhD thesis is a valid contribution to the progress of knowledge and the advancement of society. A PhD opens opportunities to many forms of development both on a personal and a professional level and for the community at large.

The session pretends to discuss three topics which characterize doctoral training today:

• Doctoral Education in Europe and beyond: Peter Hanenberg, Católica Doctoral School; Chair of the Council for Doctoral Education of the European University Association (EUA-CDE)
• Transversal skills in Doctoral training: Francisco Vasques, Director of the Doctoral School of Faculdade Engenharia, Universidade do Porto (FEUP)
• Doctoral training beyond academia: A. Gil Andrade-Campos, Director of the Doctoral School, University of AveiroRegistration for the event will open soon. Registration is free.