This time Scientific Bangladesh has interviewed Md Mahbubur Rahman. He is a pharmacist, has
work experience in journalism, and doing PhD in Social Science at the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Marketing of Massey University, New Zealand.
He has shared his experiences and insights and very valuable suggestions for future PhD students. Here are his experiences, insights, and suggestions:
1. Scientific Bangladesh: Please briefly introduce yourself, your PhD topic and, your University to our readers.
Md Mahbubur Rahman: This is Md Mahbubur Rahman, doing PhD in Communication and Journalism at the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Marketing of Massey University, New Zealand. My research work focuses on Health Communication and I started my PhD back in 2020. The topic of my PhD is “Construction of health among the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh: A culture-centered approach.” As well as doing PhD, I am also working as a Research Assistant at CARE (Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation) center of Massey University. I have completed Regional Master in Journalism, Media and Communication, Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm.), and Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm. Honours) from Dhaka University. Besides, I have completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction (Chancellor Award, Gold Medal) from Leading University. In my SSC (Secondary School Certificate) exam I secured 19th position in the combined merit list of the Jessore board. After completing my M. Pharm from Dhaka University, I worked for three years in the Pharmaceutical sector and then joined the public media of Bangladesh and worked there for more than 17 years. Then in 2020, I got a chance to do my PhD at Massey University, New Zealand. Massey University, established in 1927, is one of New Zealand’s leading educational institutions. In 1927 Massey University started its journey as a small agricultural college in Palmerston North and in 1964, it became a full university. New Zealand has only 8 Public University and Massey University is one of them. Massey University has three campuses – Albany (Auckland), Manawatū (Palmerston North), and Wellington. I am studying at Massey University, Manawatū (Palmerston North) campus.
2.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why are you pursuing PhD?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: I would like to say it’s my dream, it’s my passion to do a PhD. I have started my career as a Pharmacist, then joined a media setting and within this journey, I also worked as a Senior Lecturer, Pharmacy at a Private University in Bangladesh. During my work as a Senior Lecturer, I realized that the field of academia is very much fit for me but to work in the academic field, PhD is a must. Then I continued to develop myself with some research publications that helped me to get the PhD opportunity. My intention was to do my PhD in abroad and at last, I have got PhD opportunity in New Zealand. During my work as a Senior Lecturer, Pharmacy I engaged myself as a full-time researcher and then till today continue as a researcher. Again, I have had working experience in the Pharmaceutical field (Health) and in Media (Communication) and now I am doing my PhD in Health Communication which I believe is very much interlinked with both of my knowledge and experience. I think my PhD works would help me to explore the vast world of knowledge on Health Communication. Within the short space of my research journey, I have contributed to 21 International Journal publications with more than 340 citations. My Research Gate profile (The link of my Research Gate profile is https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Md-Mahbubur-Rahman-8
3.Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: Academically as a Pharmacist having working experience in the media, I always tried to find a PhD topic relating to health and communication. For this, I wrote to the potential supervisors irrespective of any country but relating with health and communication. I tried for 3-4 years to get the PhD opportunity because it was a tough journey for me as I shifted from the academic line to Govt. job. Then by the grace of Allah, I got a chance to do my PhD at Massey University, New Zealand. Massey University is really a reputed University and it Ranked in the top 300 universities in the world (QS ranking is 272 in 2021).
4.Scientific Bangladesh: What is the minimum qualification in your university to get admission as PhD student, Bachelor or Master degree?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: To get admission as a PhD student one has to complete a postgraduate bachelors (honors) degree with first-class or second class (division 1) honors, or a master’s degree with first-class or second class (division 1) honors in a relevant field. This qualification must also include a substantive (minimum 30 credits) research project, dissertation, or thesis in which one should have a minimum grade of B+
5.Scientific Bangladesh: If anyone wants to do PhD in your University/country, what are the steps one has to follow?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: At first, one has to choose the research field, then he or she should try to find out potential supervisor in the relevant field. After that, he or she should communicate with the supervisor about his or her interest, of course mentioning his qualifications and research experience. After/before confirming a potential supervisor he or she has to fulfill the University criteria (like IELTS, recommendation letter from the previous supervisor, etc.) to get admission to the University.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: What are mistakes one should avoid when contacting with University or Professor for PhD studentship?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: Good communication can overcome many obstacles of PhD studentship. Nowadays we generally communicate through e-mail and one has to be careful in writing an e-mail to a Professor. At first one has to know the details works (recent publication and the field of research) of the Professor and then he/she should start to communicate with the Professor.
The following mistakes should be avoided during the communication between the student and the Professor:
a) Inappropriate salutations: Dear Sir/Madam should not be used, rather Dear Dr./Prof. and then his last name should be used.
b) Meaningless subject line: Special care is needed to form a good subject line so that the receiver can grasp the main topic right away. The subject line should not be too broad or too short.
c) Too descriptive mail: Professors are generally very busy personnel. If your mail is too long, then they might not read that and so a mail with 2-3 short paragraphs (each with 2-3 sentences) is enough to express one’s interest in his/her research.
d) Not taking care of CV: A CV will tell everything about a person and so a good CV is very vital to express yourself.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications (journal articles)?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: I am planning to submit my PhD thesis by publication. At Massey University a Doctorate with Publications requires a candidate to present a thesis comprising typically between two and six research papers/publications. That means one has to publish one/two articles and one/two articles should be under the process of publication.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: In New Zealand, one has to confirm his/her supervisor before admission into PhD. I have had the opportunity to choose my supervisor for PhD by personal communication. As I mentioned earlier one has to choose his/her research field first, then he or she should try to find out potential supervisor in the relevant field.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: I think without maintaining a good relationship with Supervisor one would not be able to complete his/her PhD. Because Supervisor is the mentor, teacher, guide, coach, or even adviser of your PhD journey. In our country, we generally avoid asking questions to the teachers because of thinking respect or fear. But in the western world and also in New Zealand asking questions is a must for learning in PhD. Here the relationship between PhD student and Supervisor is very friendly yet respectful to each other. Here I would like to give an example, in my first one-to-one meeting, my Supervisor asked me not to call him Sir because in New Zealand we generally do not call the Supervisor as Sir but to call him/her by name or by Dr./Prof.
10.Scientific Bangladesh: What principle do you follow to maintain a good relationship with your labmates?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: In my lab (CARE Center) I am the junior researcher as I joined in March 2020 and so I got the opportunity to ask other lab members if I do not understand anything. As we are doing PhD in Social Science, we do not have a lab but here PhD students generally sit in a room with 3-5 PhD students together. As I am working as RA (Research Assistant) I have to work in CARE (Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation) center of Massey University. A PhD student has to spend his maximum time of PhD life in the lab (Center or PhD Room) and so the labmates are the best persons to share anything which would help him/her to go forward. I generally follow the principles of not making anybody hurt rather extending support always to maintain a good relationship. Helping a human being is my motto in life.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: Definitely PhD is very much stressful, and it will give you more anxiety if you stay alone abroad like me. I am here in New Zealand for more than one year without my family and for the COVID-19 situation even I do not know when I would be able to take my family here or when I would be able to go back to Bangladesh for my PhD fieldwork. Again, I have to do my PhD works and Research Assistant responsibilities simultaneously that creates more pressure on me. In my PhD and works, I face many deadlines that need to be done within that framework which also creates stress. Again, before coming to New Zealand I even did not know how to cook but here I have to manage everything. To release the stress, I always try to talk with my seniors regarding any problem, try to connect with family members through Video calls regularly. Again, regular prayer, go outing also help me to minimize my stress and maintain a work-life balance.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week you go to the lab? Why?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: Normally 5 days I have to work at the lab (CARE center). On Monday we have a weekly meeting chaired by the Director of the CARE (Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation) center where we discuss what we did last week and what should be our future work plan.
13.Scientific Bangladesh: PhD is considered as training for a career in Research. What 1. technical and 2. Soft skills you are focusing to develop or developed by this time?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: It is always said that sharpen your skills and learn as many techniques as possible during your PhD journey. Again, I have to say academically I was in pure science (Pharmacy) field but I am doing my PhD in Social Science and so, it is a little bit new learning for me. At the CARE lab, we are working on communication research using participatory and Culture-Centered Approach (CCA) theories to develop community-driven communication solutions. CCA (Culture-Centered Approach) is a meta-theoretical framework developed by Prof. Mohan Dutta and I am lucky enough I am doing my PhD under the supervision of Prof. Mohan Dutta.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your future plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: I do not know what is waiting for me tomorrow even if I may have some wish list. As a Govt. Officer of Bangladesh, I have to join my job in Bangladesh after completing PhD. But I have a wish to do my Post-Doc research. Now the realistic future of mine would be to complete my remaining research and get a PhD degree.
15.Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Md Mahbubur Rahman: Never give up, try again and again to fulfill your dream. For this, I should give my own example as I have completed my M. Pharm. in 1994 (exam held in 1997) but I could start my PhD in 2020 and again I did not come from an academic field rather from a full-time job sector. Always try to know yourself i.e. your strength and weakness and try to develop yourself. CGPA, GRE, IELTS, etc. are important but not decisive factors. If your result is not so good, then try to back up it with some review/research publications. If you cannot publish your writings in international journals, try for local journals but make sure you published that. Last thing I should say that I do believe, “We only propose but disposed of by Him.”
Scientific Bangladesh: Would like to share your weekly story with other PhD students? If yes, register at www.scfbd.net
Md Mahbubur Rahman: Yes
Scientific Bangladesh: Thank you Md Mahbubur Rahman for sharing your experiences and insights. Please register to Scientific Bangladesh for access as an author using the link https://scientificbangladesh.com/registration-2/. Readers will be immensely benefitted from your regular contribution.