Within the IAJES network, some universities offer Ph.D. programs in engineering, while others do not. Those universities without Ph.D. programs generally hire instructors without doctoral degrees, hoping to send them abroad through scholarships. However, this route is often challenging for many people because of family commitments or other limitations. The idea of a Collaborative Ph.D. and PostDoc Program consists of using the resources in our network's most advanced engineering programs and helping train instructors interested in pursuing their Ph.D.s. and Postdoctoral research. 

The Collaborative Ph.D. program follows the following principles:

•  The Student should be a permanent university employee within the IAJES network.

•  The Student's Institution should give him/her time to work on his/her Ph.D.

•  The Institution should maintain his/her salary.

•  More than 60 – 70% of the research must be conducted in her/his country.

•  The research topic should interest both institutions, which requires creativity and working on socially relevant issues.

•  Students should follow the admission rules of one of the Ph.D. programs from the Thesis Advisor's University.

• The students should receive a tuition waiver.

• Mobility expenses should be discussed and jointly assumed by both universities or external funding should be procured.

•  Continuous online meetings between students and supervisors are necessary. These are favoured with the tools available today.

An extension of the Collaborative Ph.D. program is the Collaborative Post Doctoral Research Program. This program aims the interest of faculty in developing nations to improve their research skills, working with colleagues involved in high-level research within their discipline. In developing countries, mainly applied research is conducted, which could be limited in originality and scope. By getting involved in top-notch research, faculty from developing countries could learn new techniques, update their competencies and start new research topics in their countries, collaborating with international colleagues. The program follows the following guidelines:

• Besides having a Ph.D. degree, the postdoctoral researcher should be a permanent employee of a university within the IAJES network.

•  The postdoctoral researcher's Institution should give him/her time to conduct his activities.

•  The postdoctoral program should have a flexible schedule. Research mobilities could vary between short research stays at the PI's university (1-3 months) or longer (1-2 year) research stays at the PI's Institution (a traditional Post Doc). The idea is to continue the work and interaction when the research mobility is completed.

•  The research stays expenses should be discussed and jointly assumed by both universities, or external funding should be procured.

•  The postdoctoral researcher's salary should be kept intact.

• The Task Force has met with Deans from potential Receiving and Sending Institutions. 

• There is a general interest in participating in the Project

• Economics should be agreed by Sending Institutions (maintaining full salary, and mobility costs)

• Academic level of candidates should be high. 

• Number of Ph.D./Post Doc candidates should be determined

• Areas of interest should be determined more precisely. 

• Candidates should follow procedures determined by Receiving Institutions. 

In the past, this initiative has been conducted between IQS Barcelona and UCA El Salvador. So far, three people have been awarded Ph.D.s through this initiative. Also, research ties between IAJES institutions have been strengthened.