How do I request an extension?
Answer: Upon entering the program, master’s students must complete their qualification exam by the 14th month and defend their dissertation by the 24th month. Doctoral students must complete their qualification exam by the 28th month and defend their thesis by the 48th month. If an extension for the qualification or defense deadline is needed, the advisor must request the extension using a form available on the SIPAC virtual desk. The manual with instructions for the request is available on the program’s website (Documents Tab – Deadline Monitoring for Qualification/Defense and Extension Request Instructions). Students and their advisors must monitor these deadlines, noting that the maximum deadlines (with extensions) are 30 months for dissertation defense (master’s) and 54 months for thesis defense (doctoral), with the risk of student dismissal if these deadlines are exceeded. External advisors to UFRRJ cannot request the extension through the SIPAC virtual desk, as this functionality is not available for external professors. External advisors must contact the PPGEduc Secretariat via email at ufrrj.secretariappgeduc@gmail.com to request the deadline extension.

How can I access other students’ defenses in the program?
Answer: Students will receive a notification from UFRRJ’s Integrated Management System for Academic Activities (SIGAA) whenever a qualification or defense committee in PPGEduc is validated in the system. To access the repository of dissertations and theses defended at UFRRJ, students should visit the UFRRJ Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Publishing System (TEDE) via the link: https://tede.ufrrj.br/?locale=pt_BR

Can defense and qualification committees that occur on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays be registered in SIGAA? Can professors on vacation sign documents registered in the SIPAC Virtual Desk?
Answer: Yes, defense and qualification committees that occur on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays can be registered in SIGAA. However, it is recommended that the defense recording and final opinion reading highlight that the event is being held on a date excluded from the academic calendar with the agreement of all participants. Professors on vacation can sign documents registered in the SIPAC Virtual Desk.

How do I initiate the diploma issuance process?
Answer: The PPGEduc Secretariat/Coordination will request the diploma issuance from the Office of the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies (PROPPG) only after the completion of all post-defense procedures in the Integrated Management System for Academic Activities (SIGAA). Instructions for completing these steps are available on the program’s website (Documents Tab – Submission of Dissertations and Theses).

How long does it usually take for the diploma to be issued?
Answer: The Academic Secretariat of the Office of the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies (PROPPG) has a deadline of up to 30 (thirty) calendar days to issue the diploma after the request from the PPGEduc Coordination/Secretariat. Students should contact the Academic Secretariat via email at saproppg@ufrrj.br or saproppgufrrj@gmail.com to check if the diploma is ready. For more information, visit: https://portal.ufrrj.br/pro-reitoria-de-pesquisa-e-pos-graduacao/secretaria-academica-2/