This time Scientific Bangladesh interviewed Tareq Zahirul Haque. He is pursuing PhD at The
RMIT University, Melbourne , Australia. Here is in brief what he says
1. Scientific Bangladesh: Please briefly introduce yourself, your PhD topic and, your University to our readers.
Tareq Zahirul Haque: I am a practitioner, researcher, and communicator on urban sustainability and circularity, SDGs, climate change, public policy, and governance.
2. Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why are you pursuing PhD?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: PhD is a kind of research training, learning new things, and generating new knowledge in a particular area of interest. I got this motivation from the thesis I did as part of my master’s degree from the University of Melbourne.
3. Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: I was very keen to work in the area of SDGs and climate change and therefore, developed a proposal. Then I did internet research about my topic area and likely institute offering that kind of research.
4. Scientific Bangladesh: What is the minimum qualification in your university to get admission as PhD student, Bachelor or Master degree?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: To be eligible to apply for graduate research courses, you’re normally required to have completed at least a four-year Australian Bachelor course or overseas equivalent and achieved an overall average of greater than 75% in the final year of the course.
You’re also normally required to have completed a research project/component that accounts for at least 25% of your year’s work at the 4th-year undergraduate or master’s level.
Some courses may have higher or additional entry requirements and a pre-application process. Check the course you’re interested in to learn what these are.
5. Scientific Bangladesh: If anyone wants to do PhD in your University/country, what are the steps one has to follow?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Contact potential supervisors and/or research groups; submit an expression of interest and if accepted then apply for admission. One has to meet the university admission criteria like IELTS/PTE, previous study, etc.
6. Scientific Bangladesh: What mistakes should one avoid when contacting with University or Professor for PhD studentship?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Before sending any proposal or direct request, one needs to know more about the research interest of professors or the research group. In that case, one can go through the profile of professors to know about their current works, publications, and interest.
7. Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications (journal articles)?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Submitting a thesis
8. Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: I did not. I sent my CV and proposal to one professor in my area of interest. But he forwarded my documents to another professor who agreed to supervise me.
9. Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Maintaining a good relationship with supervisor and student is a tricky job. There could be ups and downs and which is very natural. It is unlikely to conduct good research without maintaining a workable relationship with the supervisor. I think the first principle is to know what the supervisor wants from me. You need to satisfy him. You can argue with your supervisor but it has to be in an academic manner with full respect. It is not wise to avoid supervisors or hide anything about your research.
In fact, maintaining a good relationship with the supervisor is a kind of art, and a student needs to develop this skill.
10. Scientific Bangladesh: What principle do you follow to maintain a good relationship with your labmates?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: I work independently. The principle I think we need to respect others and extend cooperation or help when one needs it.
11. Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Plan ahead about your deadlines and prepare yourself for them. At least 40 minutes walk every day.
12. Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week do you go to the lab? Should PhD students work 7 days/week?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: It depends on the nature of work. I think 5 days/week is enough. A long break like 30 days might distract focus after coming back to work again.
13. Scientific Bangladesh: PhD is considered as training for a career in Research. What 1. technical and 2. Soft skills you are focusing on developing or developed by this time?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Knowing the latest data analysis software/computer programming used in a particular field is important. In terms of soft skills, good communication with peers, presentation skills, team building, leadership, etc.
14. Scientific Bangladesh: What is your plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: My plan is to go back to Bangladesh.
15. Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Making a few publications; prepare for IELTS
16. Scientific Bangladesh: Would you like to share your weekly story with other PhD students? If yes, register at www.scfbd.net
Tareq Zahirul Haque: Yes
17. Scientific Bangladesh: Thank you for your time, insights, and experiences shared. We look forward to your regular writings in Scientific Bangladesh.
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