肯定是他导师自己的想法。我知道有跟着博士导师做的例子。
另外,填表注意点里第4点关于推荐信说了:
The letter may not be prepared by the prospective host researcher him/herself. If the prospective host researcher was the candidate’s PhD advisor or supervisor, then another faculty member, such as one who participated in the candidate’s dissertation reviewed and/or who is familiar with the candidate’s research, should be asked to prepare this letter of recommendation.