Need more forum of discussions

I admit that I'm still new in the environment of local universities. However, I notice that here there is less discussion in terms of conference or seminar presentations here. For instance, at my school in Bath we usually have seminar once a month during term time, presented by professors or lecturers from other university. The time is usually in the afternoon and lasts for one and half hours.

I found the seminar a good exercise and that's when I learned new things and ideas. Although it was only one person giving a talk, the environment was not hostile. It was usually a friendly discussion. As it was long talk, it gave enough time for me to grasp the idea what the professor was talking about.

Here, at least in one of the local varsity, I find there is no similar event. I'm not sure whether it is because of lack of promotion, but the main thing is that I could not find anything similar.

I think the reason could be due to the one I mentioned in my earlier post. It is that we are afraid that somebody might steal our idea. Or it could be that there is no incentive for local lecturers to present their research, let alone to organize one. I'm not sure whether it always ends up in a hostile situation.

Nevertheless, if the assumptions I suggested above were right, then something should be done to improve it. Otherwise, I don't see there will be any change in the quality of education or improvement in world university ranking among local varsity. I believe we can improve a lot things in life through a proper and healthy discussion.

Furthermore, the ability of the lecturers to present and argue their research in quite a long seminar shows their credibility and quality of the lecturers in research. Other lecturers could also learn something from the seminar. It is important because a university is judged not only by the students it produced but also its research and publication.

To relate to my experience, about two weeks ago, I attended to a one and half hours conference organised by a local university which is closed to my house. The conference was about the stimulus package to jump start the economy. There were four panels, three from the industry (two out of three were accounting-based) and one local university lecturer. Actually all of them were local except one who was a PR.

For someone like me who has one through rigorous exercise in the process of getting a Phd, I expected the conference discussion to be a fresh of new ideas in nature. Unfortunately, it was not, despite having top guns in the industry as panelists. Top guns means that the panelists were executive director, CEO and MD of big companies which can considered top management posts.

Their content of presentations were nothing new of ideas. Most of their ideas were already reported in newspapers. I expected these people would tell a new story from the other side of the coin. For example, one panelist was commenting about the government's proposal of the rebate for giving up old cars. Actually, this practice is nothing new. It is modelled from many European country which is meant to generate their dying automotive industry. It shows how shallow the top gun is.

Another panelist was extracting a report from a consultant which did not give anything new input and so did the other panelist. All three panelists though agreed that the stimulus package would work if the implementation is done right. None of them provide any recommendations how to improve implementation.

Unfortunately, the panelist from university also disappointed me. I would like to hear any economic theory and philosophy and recommendations from someone with academic background, and not just disgruntled about the economy. It is evident that there is a need to increase participation in seminar and conference among university lecturers.

People in the industry don't know what theory they have to look into. They are practically day-to-day basis problem solving management. Without a proper theory, you are not able to predict what is going to happen and why it happened.

Therefore, people in the university, I mean the lecturers, should not follow the footsteps of people in the industry. It does not mean that the university should remove any association with industry, but the university should remain as free as possible from industry's influences.

Back to the conference I attended, I would like someone to talk about the philosophy of the economy, i.e. whether we should be inclined towards capitalism or socialism or Marxism. The philosophy is the foundation for economic policy. In addition, I would like someone to touch the issue of rental seeking activity. This activity will also severely affect the economy.

All in all, it shows that it is beneficial for the university to change. I mean badly and urgently need to change. It is a change for a better future of local universities.

Common mistakes in doing a Phd

We all made mistakes, that's natural. But once you'd identified the mistakes, you should try to avoid it. In pursuing a Phd, I find there are common mistakes people do, again and again, even though we knew about it including me myself.

As a result, you're not able to finish your Phd within the prescribed time. Even worse, you'll give up, or withdraw from the Phd program, or your supervisor will recommend you to withdraw. In any cases, you waste your time and money.

There are a few mistakes or rather misjudgements that I always see in UK setting:

1. If I can score and do well in my undergrad course, I should be doing fine in my Phd.

Wrong and absolutely wrong. I saw many times that it does not always the case. It's simply because undergrad is totally different from a Phd. In most of UK setting, you're working on your own starting from day one.

Of course, there were a few very rare cases that I knew where the supervisor was giving assistance to the students almost in every step. It's more like spoonfeeding to me. But not every supervisor is going to do the same.

In the undergrad course you prepare yourself for the exam, but in doing a Phd you set your own questions and then you yourself answer the questions. And that is the most difficult part because you don't really know what questions to ask or how to ask the right question. Being able to ask the right question is important because it shows whether you know your stuff well enough.

So doing a Phd is totally different from undergrad or masters program.

2. It does not really matter if my supervisor does not agree with my idea as long as I like it.

Wrong. I have seen it so many times. It does not work. You must work with the supervisor. The only different between your Phd supervisor and your supervisor at workplace is that you still get your pay even if you totally hate the latter. If you hate the former, your chances to pass your Phd is very thin.

Of course, conflict and contrasting ideas do arise along the way but do not take hostile approach. Turn and generate conflicts into new ideas. After all, we are all human and we don't like hostility.

3. The first year is the honeymoon year. I'll start working hard from year two onwards.

Wrong. Although pursuing a Phd is not a job that will pay your bills, the work starts from day one and there is no holidays or weekends. Everyday is a working day. I'm telling you from my own experience.

4. I should hide my research idea so that other people will not steal my idea.

Wrong. I know someone will disagree with me but one thing for sure is that discussion improves knowledge. More discussion means more ideas. Unless you're working in the industy where patent is everything and knowledge is a secret, I find that presenting your research in seminars and conference is a good way of enhancing your project.

The ability to argue your research in a seminar will increase your confidence in your research. You will feel good about your project and so does your supervisor.

Try to present your Phd project once in every semester. If budget is a constraint, then you try use your school's budget or present your research in a free seminar. I'm sure it's going to be beneficial to you.

That's all I can think of at this moment. I'm sure there are more but those are my own experience.

Welcome & selamat datang

Welcome to my blog. I opened this blog to share my experience and thoughts for those of you who are pursuing or contemplating to pursue Phd. I believe the road I took is less travelled by many.

It is because I was not an academician when I started my Phd, compared to most of my colleagues who were mostly university lecturers. Furthermore, I had to resign from job, while my friends were not.

I must admit it was not an easy journey though. There were lots of obstacles to pass through. Thank God, alhamdulillah, I made it. So proud of myself that I made it despite all the difficulties.

It is two months since I received an official letter from my school saying that I had passed my Phd. A few days ago, I received an email saying that I'm eligible for the summer convocation ceremony.

No words can describe how happy and relief I am now. A big thanks to Andreas and Richard at the University of Bath, UK, for their support and comments. Staff at the office of the School of Management were also very helpful. Thanks a lot.