2.31(1) This Subdivision applies to an academic program for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and to a candidate pursuing such a program.
2.32 Academic program content
2.32(1) An academic program may consist of research into a topic determined by the prescribed authority, or a combination of research and coursework.
2.32(2) However, if the prescribed authority permits more than one topic, the topics must have a reasonable relationship with each other.
2.32(3) Research may be conducted by a candidate alone or jointly with another person.
2.32(4) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, by Order, determine the coursework requirements of an academic program.
2.32(5) If the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) prescribes coursework requirements, the prescribed authority must organise coursework as required and arrange for members of the staff of the University or other qualified persons to conduct the coursework.
2.32(6) An academic program is to contain a research component of at least two-thirds of the total requirements for the degree.
2.32(7) Completion of an academic program for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy requires at least 96 units and, unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), not greater than 192 units.
2.32(8) In computing periods of time for completing units (not being coursework units) under this rule, periods of program leave of absence must not be taken into account.
2.32(9) To complete the requirements of the academic program satisfactorily, a candidate must pass the research (thesis) component, and any coursework, or clinical or professional practice that is required, at the standard indicated in the relevant determination.
2.33 Review and reporting
2.33(1) Continuation of a person’s candidature is subject to the satisfactory completion of an initial review of progress at a time, and in a form, directed by the prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
2.33(2) A candidate must give a report to the prescribed authority as directed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or the prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
2.34 Extension of program
2.34(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, on application by a candidate, grant an extension to the duration of an academic program.
2.34(2) An extension may be for no longer than 12 months for a full-time program, or 24 months for a part-time program (or 48 units in each case), in the first instance.
2.35 Attendance
2.35(1) A candidate must attend the University for 18 months as a full-time candidate or 24 months as a part-time candidate.
2.35(2) However, if a candidate is based outside the University to undertake his or her academic program, the candidate must spend at least 4 weeks attending at the University during each year of his or her program.
2.35(3) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, by Order set or vary the criteria that constitute attendance at the University.
2.35(4) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, in writing, vary the time a particular candidate is required to spend attending at the University, having regard to the circumstances of the case.
Subdivision 2.9.2:Professional Doctorates by research
2.36 Application of Subdivision
2.36(1) This Subdivision applies to academic programs, and to candidates pursuing those programs, leading to a professional doctorate by research.
2.37 Academic program content
2.37(1) An academic program of study to which this Subdivision relates consists of research work determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) together with any coursework or clinical or professional practice determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
2.37(2) Also, an academic program for a professional doctorate by research is to contain a research component of at least two-thirds of the total requirements for the degree, being research into a topic or topics approved by the prescribed authority.
2.37(3) However, if more than one topic is permitted under subrule 2.37(2), the topics must have a reasonable relationship with each other.
2.37(4) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must determine the minimum standard of coursework that must be attained before a candidate is granted the award or before the candidate’s thesis is examined.
2.37(5) Each determination must be made available to relevant candidates and must contain a description of the academic program requirements.
2.37(6) A candidate must obtain the approval of the prescribed authority for the content of the candidate’s academic program and for any change to that content.
2.37(7) Completion of an academic program for a professional doctorate requires at least 96 units and, unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), not greater than 192 units.
2.37(8) To complete the requirements of the academic program satisfactorily, a candidate must pass the coursework, the research (thesis) component, and any clinical or professional practice that is required, at the standard indicated in the relevant determination.
2.37(9) In computing periods of time for completing units (not being coursework units) under this rule, periods of program leave of absence must not be taken into account.
2.38 Review and reporting
2.38(1) Continuation of a person’s candidature is subject to the satisfactory completion of an initial review of progress at a time, and in a form, directed by the prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
2.38(2) A candidate must give a report to the prescribed authority as directed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
2.39 Extension of program
2.39(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, on application by a candidate, grant an extension to the duration of an academic program for a professional doctorate by research.
2.39(2) An extension may be for no longer than 12 months for a full-time program, or 24 months for a part-time program (or 48 units in each case), in the first instance.
Subdivision 2.9.3: Degree of Master of Philosophy and other degrees of Master by research
2.40 Application of Subdivision
2.40(1) This Subdivision applies to academic programs, and to candidates pursuing those programs, for the degree of Master of Philosophy and other degrees of Master by research.
2.41 Academic program content
2.41(1) An academic program is to consist of research into a topic determined by the prescribed authority, provided that, if more than 1 topic is permitted, the topics are to have a reasonable relationship with each other.
2.41(2) However, an academic program may also include coursework or clinical or professional practice as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) determines, provided that an academic program contains a research component of at least two-thirds of the total requirements for the degree.
2.41(3) Completion of an academic program requires at least 48 units and, unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), not greater than 96 units.
2.41(4) In computing periods of time for completing units (not being coursework units) under this rule, periods of program leave of absence must not be taken into account.
2.41(5) To complete the requirements of the academic program satisfactorily, a candidate must pass the coursework, the research (thesis) component, and any clinical or professional practice that is required, at the standard indicated in the relevant determination.
2.42 Review and reporting
2.42(1) Continuation of a person’s candidature is subject to the satisfactory completion of an initial review of progress at a time, and in a form, directed by the prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
2.42(2) A candidate must give a report to the prescribed authority as directed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
2.43 Extension of program
2.43(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may grant an extension to the duration of an academic program.
2.43(2) An extension may be for no longer than 6 months for a full-time program, or 12 months for a part-time program (or 24 units in each case), in the first instance.
Subdivision 2.9.4: Combined programs
2.44 Combined programs
2.44(1) With the permission of the prescribed authorities concerned, a candidate may undertake the programs for 2 degrees as a combined program.
2.44(2) The University offers the combined programs mentioned in Part 6 of the Schedule.
2.45 Combined program: requirements
2.45(1) The requirements for a combined program are as set out in the Orders made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
2.45(2) Rules and Orders that apply to a component program of a combined program apply, except where they are inconsistent with Orders made under this rule, to that component of the combined program.
Division 2.10: Examinations
Subdivision 2.10.1: Preliminary
2.46 Application of Division
2.46(1) This Division applies to the examination of candidates for a research degree.
2.46A Submission of thesis after expiration of program (application before 2005)
2.46A(1) This rule applies only to the submission of theses for research degrees.
2.46A(2) A candidate whose academic program expired or expires in 2004 may, at any time before 2005 and:
(a) before the date on which the candidate's academic program expires; or
(b) on the withdrawal of the candidate from the program;
apply in writing during 2004 to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) for permission to submit a thesis and to be examined under these Rules after the date on which the candidate's program expires.
2.46A(3) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, on receipt of an application, permit the candidate to submit a thesis within such period as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) specifies, being a period ending in 2004.
2.46A(4) An application must state the grounds on which the permission is sought and contain such other particulars (if any) as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) requires.
2.46A(5) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may determine the extent of the supervision and access to University facilities to be accorded to a candidate during the period specified in a permission under this rule.
2.46A(6) This rule is repealed immediately after the expiration of 31 December 2004.
2.47 Re-enrolment: extension of program (application after 2004)
2.47(1) A candidate who, on or after 1 January 2005, is granted an extension of his or her academic program, or is given the opportunity to revise and resubmit the candidate’s thesis, must remain enrolled until:
(a) the student submits the thesis for examination or re-examination and completes any other required work; or
(b) the student withdraws from candidature; or
(c) the student's candidature is terminated by the University; or
(d) the academic program has been pursued for its maximum duration.
2.48 Methods of examination
2.48(1) Research is to be examined by submission and assessment of a thesis based on that research, together with oral or written examinations, or both, related to such assessment, and if the program consists of research only, such examination is the examination for the program.
2.48(2) Coursework is to be examined by written examination in accordance with the Examinations (The Faculties) Rules 2005 which are to be applied as nearly as possible in relation to examinations for coursework, with such necessary or convenient modifications, additions and omissions as are determined by the prescribed authority.
2.48(3) If an academic program for a research degree comprises research and coursework:
(a) the candidate may be examined for the program on the research only; or
(b) the candidate may be required to pass a written examination on the coursework before being examined on the research, but the examination for the program is to be on the research only; or
(c) the candidate may be examined for the program on the combined results of examination of research and coursework.
2.48(4) On the recommendation of the prescribed authority, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may require a candidate pursuing an academic program by research only to submit to an examination not less than 12 months after the commencement of the program, not being an examination for the award, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may determine the form of the examination.
2.48(5) Theses and examinations are to be written and conducted in the English language, unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), on the recommendation of the prescribed authority, otherwise determines.
2.48(6) Subject to these Rules, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, by Order, determine the requirements of an examination, and may give directions as to the conduct of an examination.
2.48(7) However, for a program of study requiring clinical or professional practice, examination of the clinical or professional practice component of the program may be by written or oral examination following the completion of the component or by assessment reports on an internship or other form of professional practice.
2.48(8) A reference in this rule to a written examination includes a reference:
(a) to the examination of a candidate by reports by the candidate’s supervisors about the candidate’s performance during:
(i) internships; or
(ii) other form of professional practice; and
(b) in relation to an academic program offered by the School of Art or the School of Music in the Faculty of Arts, to the examination of:
(i) an exhibition; or
(ii) a performance; or
(iii) a folio of original works.
Subdivision 2.10.2: Theses
2.49 Theses
2.49(1) A candidate who is required to submit a thesis must submit a thesis in a form approved by the prescribed authority in accordance with the Orders.
2.49(2) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, by Order, determine the form a thesis is to take and the number of copies to be submitted.
2.50 Examination of theses
2.50(1) A thesis must incorporate an account of research done during the program and its result and, if the research is on more than 1 topic, must demonstrate the relationship between the topics.
2.50(2) A thesis based upon research conducted jointly with another person must clearly indicate the nature and extent of the candidate's contribution to the research.
2.50(3) A candidate must clearly mark in the thesis material which has been previously submitted by the candidate for the purpose of obtaining a degree of any university or other tertiary education institution.
2.50(4) A thesis must not be accepted for examination unless, in the opinion of the prescribed authority, it consists preponderantly of material not previously so submitted.
2.50(5) A thesis that has been published may be submitted in published form, subject to the approval of the prescribed authority.
2.50(6) Not less than 2 months before submitting a thesis, a candidate must give notice to the Director SAS, in the approved form, of intention to submit the thesis.
2.50(7) A candidate must submit the thesis by delivering the requisite number of copies to the Director SAS.
2.51 Examiners of thesis
2.51(1) On the recommendation of the head of the relevant academic section and the prescribed authority, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must appoint no fewer than 2 examiners of a thesis.
2.51(2) Unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) otherwise determines, at least one of the examiners appointed under this rule must be a person who is not a member of the staff of the University.
2.51(3) At least 2 of the examiners appointed under this rule to examine a thesis for a research degree must be chosen so as to be available to conduct an oral examination, unless, in the opinion of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), it is not practicable to do so.
2.51(4) A supervisor must not be appointed as an examiner under this rule.
2.51(5) To resolve ambiguities or disagreements or avoid delays in relation to the examination of a particular candidate, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), acting on the advice of the head of the relevant academic section and the prescribed authority, may at any time appoint an additional examiner.
2.51(6) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, at the request of an examiner, nominate a person other than a candidate’s supervisor to provide further information about the candidate’s thesis or, in the case of joint work, the candidate’s contribution to the thesis.
2.52 Prohibited communications
2.52(1) Except in the course of an oral examination under rule 2.54, an examiner must not communicate directly with:
(a) a candidate whose work he or she is examining; or
(b) a supervisor of the candidate.
2.52(2) Except in the course of an oral examination referred to in rule 2.54, a candidate must not communicate directly with an examiner of his or her work.
2.53 Examination required
2.53(1) A candidate must be given the opportunity to undertake a written examination of the candidate’s thesis before the candidate’s examiners recommend that the candidate be failed.
2.53(2) However, a candidate may be given the opportunity to undertake an oral examination of the candidate’s thesis in addition to, or as a substitute for, the examination referred to in subrule 2.53(1).
2.53(3) Also, subrules 2.53(1) and 2.53(2) do not apply to a candidate if the candidate’s examiners unanimously recommend that the candidate be failed.
2.53(4) Examinations under these Rules are to be conducted taking into account any relevant Orders, as well as any information about administrative matters issued by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or the prescribed authority.
2.54 Oral examination of thesis
2.54(1) This rule applies only to the examination of theses for research degrees.
2.54(2) Unless exempted under subrule 2.54(3) or examined under subrule 2.54(7), if a candidate is to be examined orally under subrule 2.53(2), the candidate is to be so examined on the substance of the candidate’s thesis and on the candidate’s knowledge of its subject background.
2.54(3) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, on the recommendation of the examiners, exempt a candidate from oral examination, but if the thesis is based on joint research the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may do so only in exceptional circumstances.
2.54(4) Unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) otherwise determines, an oral examination must be held in Canberra.
2.54(5) Unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) otherwise determines, a candidate must be orally examined by at least 2 of the examiners of the thesis.
2.54(6) If an oral examination is to be conducted by less than the total number of examiners for the program, the examiners who are to conduct the oral examination must:
(a) ascertain from those who are to be absent their wishes as to questions to be put to the candidate; and
(b) at the examination, put the substance of such questions to the candidate, together with any other questions they think relevant; and
(c) communicate to the absent examiners a report on the performance of the candidate including the response to questions suggested by those not present.
2.54(7) If, in the opinion of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), it is not practicable to hold an oral examination and the candidate is not exempted under subrule 2.54(3), the candidate is to be examined by written examination, set by the examiners of the thesis, covering the field which an oral examination would have covered.
2.54(8) If the examiners of the thesis are not satisfied with the candidate's performance at an oral examination or at a written examination held under subrule 2.54(7), they may recommend that the candidate be examined or further examined by written examination set by them, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may direct the holding of such examination or further examination.
2.54(9) The candidate's answers to an examination must be sent by the Director SAS to the examiners of the thesis and taken into account by them in the preparation of their reports.
2.55 Assessors: oral examinations
2.55(1) If the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) determines that an oral examination under subrule 2.54(5) is to be conducted by one examiner, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must appoint an assessor for the purposes of this rule.
2.55(2) Subject to subrule 2.55(3), an assessor is to be appointed from among the senior members of the academic staff of the University, or of another university, who have some knowledge of the subject area of the thesis submitted by the candidate, but are not necessarily specialists in that area.
2.55(3) A staff member is not eligible to be appointed as an assessor in relation to the examination of a candidate if the staff member is a member of the same academic section as the candidate.
2.55(4) An assessor must attend the oral examination of a candidate to observe the way in which the examination is conducted.
2.55(5) The Director SAS must give the assessor a copy of the candidate's thesis if the assessor asks for a copy.
2.55(6) An assessor must not participate in the examination of a candidate, but must endeavour to ensure that the oral examination is properly and fairly conducted.
2.55(7) An assessor may submit to the Director SAS, in writing, any comments that the assessor wishes to make in relation to the examination.
2.55(8) If an assessor submits comments to the Director SAS under subrule 2.55(7), the Director SAS must send the comments to the prescribed authority, and the prescribed authority must take those comments into account when considering the examiners’ reports.
2.56 Examination: degree of Master of Philosophy: former candidates for degree of Doctor of Philosophy
2.56(1) Notwithstanding anything else in these Rules, a former candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy may submit a thesis for examination under these Rules as part of his or her candidature for the degree of Master of Philosophy:
(a) whether or not it has been revised since being submitted for examination for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy; and
(b) whether or not it exceeds the maximum length normally acceptable for theses submitted for such an examination.
2.56(2) If the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) appoints examiners to examine a thesis referred to in subrule 2.56(1), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must, unless the circumstances of the case are exceptional, appoint examiners who were not previously appointed to examine the thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
2.56(3) If the examiners appointed to examine a thesis referred to in subrule 2.56(1) have not previously examined the thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the examiners must not be advised that the thesis was previously examined under those Rules.
2.57(1) This rule applies only to candidates examined on research only.
2.57(2) Each examiner of a thesis must submit to the Director SAS in an approved form a report on the examination as a whole.
2.57(3) The report of an examiner must recommend:
(a) that the candidate be granted the award; or
(b) that the candidate be failed; or
(c) that the candidate be granted the award subject to corrections or revisions (if any) required by the examiners in the thesis to be made to the satisfaction of the prescribed authority in the copy intended for deposit with the University Library; or
(d) that the candidate be permitted to submit a revised thesis for re-examination.
2.57(4) The Director SAS must send the examiners’ reports on theses to the prescribed authority.
2.58 Decision about results
2.58(1) After consideration of the examiners' reports, the prescribed authority may recommend to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education):
(a) that the candidate be granted the award; or
(b) that the candidate be granted the award subject to making any minor amendments in the thesis required under paragraph 2.57(3)(c); or
(c) that the candidate be re-examined by resubmission of thesis or re-examination of coursework or both, as the case requires; or
(d) that the candidate be failed.
2.58(2) However, if the prescribed authority is satisfied that the overall results obtained by the candidate, both in the assessment of the thesis and in examination of the coursework and any other examinations not related to the assessment of the thesis, are satisfactory, the prescribed authority must recommend to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) that the candidate be granted the award.
2.59 Re-examination
2.59(1) If the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) requires a candidate to be re-examined, the candidate must be re-examined in accordance with subrule 2.59(3).
2.59(2) A candidate is only to be admitted to re-examination once.
2.59(3) Re-examination may be by revision and re-submission of a thesis, or otherwise in accordance with the Examinations (The Faculties) Rules 2005 (which are to be applied as nearly as possible in relation to examinations for coursework, with such necessary or convenient modifications, additions and omissions as are determined by the prescribed authority), or by a combination of either of those methods as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) determines.
2.59(4) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may determine the date for resubmission of a thesis.
2.59(5) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may appoint, for the purpose of re-examination of a thesis, all or some of the first examiners for the thesis or additional or other examiners as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) thinks fit.
2.59(6) Re-examination of a thesis must be conducted as nearly as may be in accordance with this Division, except that a recommendation for re-examination may not be made.
2.60 Amendment of theses
2.60(1) If a candidate is required, under paragraph 2.58(1)(b), to make minor amendments to his or her thesis, the amendments must be made within 12 months of the candidate being notified of the requirement, unless the prescribed authority allows a longer period.
2.61 Revision of theses
2.61(1) If a candidate is required to be re-examined by re-submission of his or her thesis under this Division:
(a) the prescribed authority must appoint an appropriate person to advise the candidate during the revision process; and
(b) the candidate must revise and resubmit his or her thesis for examination within a period of not more than 1 year from the date on which the decision is notified to the candidate in writing by the prescribed authority.
2.61(2) An appointment under paragraph 2.61(1)(a) must not be for more than 1 year, but may be extended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
2.61(3) A period under paragraph 2.61(1)(b) may be extended under this rule by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), but not so that the aggregate of the initial period and any extensions exceed 2 years.
[NOTE: Rules 2.12 and 2.56 make provision for a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to transfer and be examined for the degree of Master of Philosophy.]
2.62 Results of re-examination
2.62(1) After consideration of the examiners’ reports on a re- examination of the candidate and of the observations of the head of the relevant academic section, the prescribed authority may recommend to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) as provided in paragraph 2.58(1)(a) or 2.58(1)(d).
2.63 Candidate's right of appeal
2.63(1) The hearing and determination of an appeal against a decision to fail a candidate is to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Part 4.
2.64 Notification of decisions
2.64(1) If the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) makes a decision:
(a) terminating a candidature on grounds mentioned in rule 2.29; or
(b) that a candidate has failed;
the Director SAS must notify the candidate in writing of the decision, and must include in the notice:
(c) a statement to the effect that, subject to these Rules, the candidate is entitled to appeal against the decision; and
(d) a statement setting out the procedure for lodging an appeal.
2.64(2) The validity of a decision referred to in paragraph 2.64(1)(a) or 2.64(1)(b) is not affected by a failure to include in a notice statements in accordance with paragraph 2.64(1)(c) or 2.64(1)(d).
[NOTE: Rule 17 of the Discipline Rules 2005 provides for withholding of awards where obligations to the University have not been met.]
Division 2.11: Deposit of Theses
2.65 Deposit of theses
2.65(1) When a candidate for a research degree is granted an award, the Director SAS must retain and deliver to the University Library the best copy of the thesis or other publication submitted for the award.
2.65(2) The Director SAS must retain one copy of a thesis or other publication submitted by a candidate who is not granted the award.
2.65(3) The submission of an otherwise unpublished thesis by a candidate who is granted the relevant award authorises the University to deal with the thesis as follows:
(a) to make the thesis available in the University Library on demand for the purpose of private study or research; and
(b) with the candidate's permission, to make the thesis otherwise available in microform, paper or digital format for the purpose of private study or research.
2.65(4) If a candidate is not granted the relevant award, the submission of an otherwise unpublished thesis by the candidate authorises the University to make the thesis available in the office of the Director SAS for the purpose of private study and research to any student or member of staff of the University.
2.65(5) However, subrule 2.65(4) does not apply unless:
(a) after consultation with the prescribed authority; and
(b) after considering the views, if ascertainable, and interests of the candidate;
the Director SAS considers that the interests of scholarship require the thesis to be made so available and that the interests of the candidate will not be unreasonably prejudiced.
2.65(6) However, except at the express request of the candidate concerned, a thesis to which paragraph 2.65(3)(a) applies must not, within 12 months after the date on which it was delivered to the University Library, be made available for the purpose of private study or research other than in the University Library.
2.65(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in subrule 2.65(3) or 2.65(4), a candidate may when submitting a thesis, with the consent of and for a period and on conditions specified by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) on the recommendation of the prescribed authority, forbid access to an appendix to the thesis marked “confidential appendix”.
2.65(8) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must not give consent under subrule 2.65(7) in relation to an appendix to a thesis unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) is satisfied, on the recommendation of the prescribed authority, that:
(a) the appendix contains material obtained on conditions legally requiring the material to be kept confidential; or
(b) having regard to the circumstances in which, or the conditions on which, the material contained in the appendix was obtained, it is reasonable that the material should be kept confidential.
2.65(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in subrule 2.65(3) or 2.65(4), a candidate may, when submitting a thesis, prohibit for a specified period the disclosure of the thesis or some part of it by the University Library or the Director SAS to any person if the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) on the recommendation of the prescribed authority certifies that such prohibition for the period indicated is reasonable having regard to the protection of the candidate's interest under laws respecting copyright, designs or patents, or commercially, financially or culturally confidential information.