This time Scientific Bangladesh has talked with PhD student Md Toslim Mahmud . His insights 
might behelpful for other current and future PhD students. Here is what he says.
1.Scientific Bangladesh: Briefly introduce our readers with yourself, your PhD topic and University
Md Toslim Mahmud: I am Md Toslim Mahmud. I have completed my BS and MS in Microbiology from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. I started my research carrier from ICDDR,B by joining as research officer. Then I joined the Department of Microbiology, NSTU as a lecturer and later promoted as Assistant professor. Now, I am on study leave and doing my doctoral study at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Monash University, Australia. I am working on Vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) of H. pylori, the causative agent of gastric cancer. Though VacA has been discovered 30 years back but still its pathogenesis is an enigma. I am trying to find out some new insight on VacA pathogenesis.
2.Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i)Research/PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Md Toslim Mahmud: Honestly, Initially I was not my passionate about my research topic. But I searched microbiology related topic in broad scale from Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand based institute. I got few offers but chose my current one and now I absolutely love it.
3.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you gone for PhD ? In other words, why you are doing PhD?
Md Toslim Mahmud: When I studied my bachelor in Microbiology, I dreamt to dig out more about biological science. I got opportunity to work with a passionate research group in ICDDR,B led by Dr. Munirul Alam which made my path easy. In addition, I am working as a faculty of University. A good university teacher should be a good researcher. Without PhD, how I would be a good researcher?
4.Scientific Bangladesh: Tell us about your pathway to manage scholarship or funding for PhD
Md Toslim Mahmud: I think there are two way to get higher study opportunity in abroad from Bangladesh based on standard language test. One can try USA based universities by having good score in GRE. On the other hand, having good score in IELTS one can try other world’s universities. Both pathways has some pros and cons. I chose later option. I targeted mostly Australia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand. I tried to communicate with senior fellows about details process. For Australia, the journey starts with two phases, first contact and manage potential supervisor. If any potential supervisor is managed/agreed to support student, then one can apply to University for admission and scholarship. It’s very rare to get supervisor’s funding in Australia. Usually supervisors deeply judge applicant’s CV for publication, research experience, research field and academic results. I got good response from supervisors because of my good number of publications (I think). And eventually, I got admission with full-funded scholarship.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting thesis or publishing certain no of publications(journal articles)?
Md Toslim Mahmud: There is no requirement for publication. But I am planning to submit my thesis along with some publications.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria in chosing PhD supervisor?
Md Toslim Mahmud: I deliberately chose my supervisor. It was my first step toward getting PhD offer. I think my supervisor accept me for my academic results, publications and research experience in related field.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintain good relationship with your supervisor?
Md Toslim Mahmud: I think punctuality is key factor. Hard working, communication and instinctual inputs are other factors.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: What principle you follow to maintain good relationships with your labmates?
Md Toslim Mahmud: Co-operation, friendly and respectful behavior.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Md Toslim Mahmud: Definitely, it is. Try to go out at every weekend as traveling is my hobby. Spent more family time.
10.Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week you go to the lab? Why?
Md Toslim Mahmud: Every day and sometimes weekend also. It depends on experiment.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: PhD is considered as training for career in Research. What 1. technical and 2. Soft skills you are focusing to develop or developed by this time?
Md Toslim Mahmud: Yes. PhD is primary training school to become a researcher. Critical thinking, communicate results, writing skill in different format and most importantly networking.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your future plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Md Toslim Mahmud: Definitely I should go back to serve my beloved country.
13.Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Md Toslim Mahmud: We, especially Bangladeshi student, never think about PhD topic. Before getting PhD, our main goal is to manage a PhD in any topic. But PhD topic is very important in terms of maintaining healthy life as well as becoming a good researcher. Work hard, maintain communication with the world, definitely you will succeed.