The SMU Office of Postgraduate Research Programmes has been organising kick-off parties to welcome incoming PhD students to understand the SMU PhD life better and interact with current PhD students to find out more about best practices in navigating student life, research and more.
The SMU Office of Postgraduate Research Programmes organised its first ever virtual Postgraduate Research Programmes (PGR) Kick-Off & Awards Presentation Event on 20 August 2021. The event was open to all SMU PGR students and PGR Programme Directors. There were more than 60 participants at the event. Several award winners who were awarded the Presidential Doctoral Fellowship (PDF), Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship (IDF) and Student Life Award shared their words during the award ceremony.
The award winners spoke about having good attributes which can be applicable to their academic careers as well as maintaining their bodies in a good shape physically, socially and mentally.
Read their insights below:
Hung LE, PhD in Computer Science Candidate
Hung shared some useful tips on how to conduct research and publish papers successfully.
- “Have good advisors that share research directions. Get along with them (including respecting their feedback during discussions), and be not afraid to defend your research ideas to improve them as well.”
- “Choose a research topic wisely based on your research interest and passion, and one which will be impactful. A PhD candidate needs to sustain research interest during the PhD, working on the chosen research topic efficiently and enjoying it for several years.”
- “Aim for high quality work and the best conference venues.”
- “Enrich your professional networks as much as possible by promoting collaborations.”
Jiajing LING, PhD in Computer Science Candidate
Jiajing shared about the academic and non-academic aspects of his PhD journey.
- “Don't put too much pressure on yourself at the start of the PhD journey. Don't compare yourself with your classmates who have been doing research for some time, or already have publications. This will just be added stress on you.”
- “It is very important to touch base with your advisor(s) regularly so that he/she/they can give you some helpful suggestions, especially when you are stuck on your research.”
- “You should work on several projects at the same time, so you are able to submit different papers to different conferences. giving you a higher chance of publishing a paper.”
- “To enjoy our life apart from research. For me, I like to go hiking, cycling, skateboarding during the weekends with friends to destress. As Singapore is a very fun city, do take time to explore it.”
Arpita KHANNA, PhD in Economics Candidate
Arpita reiterated the importance of having a good, supportive supervisor.
- “My experience at SMU has been positive so far, primarily because of my supervisor. My supervisor has always been available and so approachable. The situation is such that we are always trying to learn new things, and it really helps to have someone to look up to and knows that you are not bothering him/her even if you ask them the same questions. The advisor is there to help you to think through your research problems and what could potentially be the solutions. While figuring out who your supervisor could be, it is also important to figure how he/she could be a good fit for you, and what kind of support you can get from him/her, which would develop as a researcher.”
Ruijie ZHANG, PhD in Business (Operations Management) Candidate
Regarding the PhD journey as an academic career and having a life outside of PhD.
- “Reading PhD is a long and lonely process. Perhaps you may experience frustration and pain, but I hope you can maintain a good state of mind. For me, I have taken the PhD as a job. Even if you are busy, do not forget to enjoy your life. You can talk to your friends and develop your own research interests. As PhD students, we should strive to work and bond as a cohort; since we come as one and graduate as one, we should do so with vibrant memories.”
