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Dr. Khalid Rehman Hakeem Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA kur.hakeem@gmail.com

RESEARCH BEYOND BORDERS: Sky is the limit

Lecture Outline

• Introduction• Biological research- Current Challenges

and avenues• Choosing a right Supervisor • Where to conduct ResearchLocal and International• Resources

Books with international Publishers(Total= 22)

Our Latest Proteomics Research

For full publication list visit my Research gate account https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Khalid_Hakeem

ORPersonal website

www.Khalidhakeem.weebly.com

Omics (IF=2.723)

ABAB (IF=1.89)

Mol. Breeding (IF=3.25)

ABAB (IF=1.89)

IJMR (IF=3.226)

JPP (IF=3.121)

• “Research is an Endeavour to discover, develop and verify knowledge –Rumnell

• Scientific research is a systematic and objective effort to offer solutions to problems

Wernher von Braun

The world is changing

• Population growth• Resource consumption• Climate change• Pollution• Rapid decline of

biodiversity• Habitat loss and

fragmentation• Invasive pests• New Diseases• Drug Resistance

Biology is changing

• Collaborative• Multi-disciplinary• New technology• Next generation DNA

sequencing• Massive amounts of data• New analytical methods• Reproductive

technologies• Genetic manipulation• Synthetic biology

Keys to success in modern biology

• Shift from specific knowledge to generic skills• Shift from specialisation to multi-disciplinary

collaboration and synthesis of ideas• Shift from particular technological approaches to

strategies for learning and adapting new techniques

• Ability to integrate knowledge from different areas

• Research skills, philosophy of science, how to make and record observations, ask questions, construct testable hypotheses, design experiments, analyse results, make inferences, communicate findings, etc.

• Information literacy, finding and assessing the quality of information, critical thinking, critical literacy

Alarming Situation

University Ranking?

Invention?

Publication?

Industrial-University

Gap?

Research?

Marketable Student?

Difficult Promotion?

Conducive Environment?

U-Science?

University Politic

Problem?

Consultation?

Lecturing?

Language?

Overseas student Social

Problem?

Security?

Traffic?

Safety?

Internet?

Library?

Facility?

Overseas lecturer

Problem?

Overdevelopment in

campus?

TeamResearch?

University’s Issues

Sustainable Development

What should a student consider before He/She start?

Do I want to spend the next 3-4

years of my life on this research??

Am I motivated enough to last such

a long research?

My family and friends. Do I

have their support??

How about the financial

support??

Are you ready to join the research ?

How to Start ???

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart!

“Great works are performed not by strength, but by Perseverance”

Supervisor Classification

• Professor Never There• Dr Slave Labour No

Research• Dr No New Ideas

Since1995• Professor Changes

Direction• Dr Lone Worker• Dr Over bearing

Interferer• Dr Test till you Break• Dr Never Satisfied• Dr Happy to be

Mediocre– Prof Different planet– Prof Perfect Supervisor Supervisors are humans too….

Picking a Supervisor

• Do due diligence• Do the research -look at publications, conference

presentations, etc.• Ask questions -current and former students,

colleagues, etc.• Talk to several potential supervisors• Go in with eyes open• Co-supervisors if necessary

Picking a Supervisor:Factors to Consider

• Expertise• Reputation• Teaching and learning style• Expectations• Personality

What Not to Look For

• Best friend• Drinking buddy • Business partner• Any other relationship that could create a

conflict of interest or which could lead to conflict that could interfere with your academic career

Expectations of the Supervisor

• Realize they are postgraduate student

•Able to think out of the box

•Be self aware and appreciate there may be more than one way to do things

• Excellent in self management

• Excellent in time management

• Serious and committed on their research & thesis

• Able to write and publish paper in ISI journal /high impact journal

•Try to find win-win solutions to differences

WHAT MOTIVATES YOUR SUPERVISOR?

•Good research results for publication

•Sign up to our brilliant work.

•Originality, finding new ideas

•Positive relationships with co-workers

•Avoiding trouble with students who fail

•Test their wacky theories they haven’t the time

to test themselves

•Enjoy being a pedagogue

•Competitive advantage

•Competition through collaboration

What are the stresses on student ?

Here comes the role of Supervisor to be the friend and mentor to detentionize the stress among students

Tips to Survive During Graduate Studies

•Start with a plan

•Be flexible

•Be firm with your research work

•Set dateline or goal to achieve •your research target

•Know when to stop

•Think about the next step

•Discuss with supervisor

Key to SuccessBelief

Effort

Focus

Passion

Determination

Where to conduct the research ?

• Local/National Opportunities:Fellowships (CSIR, UGC, Minority, Inspire etc)Some Great InstitutionsIISC Bangalore,IIT’S,Universities like JNU, Delhi Uni., Hyderabad Uni.,

JMI, JH, KU,CU, etcInstitutes; IIIM, CDFD,CCMB, NII, JNSAR etc

International Opportunities:General Requirments

• Passport• Good CGPA Score• Recommendation letter• Previous research experience• Research Techniques known• English Professions tests: IELTS, TOFEL• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)(https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/gre-test-description.aspx)

• Research Proposal• Good Communication skills

1. Study in Malaysia

World Ranking

Malaysian English Proficiency Index

Asian Ranking

International Opportunities

Recognition 2016

• Malaysia

MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPThis scholarship is divided into two (2) categories of study: Postgraduate and

Post-doctoral Studies.

• Not be more than 40 years (Postgraduate) and 45 years (Post-doctoral) of age during application.

• Obtained a minimum of Second Class Upper (Honours) or a CGPA of 3.5/4.0 at Bachelor Degree Level for Masters Degree applicants and for PhD candidates must possess CGPA 3.5/4.0 or very good result at Masters degree level in a similar field of intended PhD study.

• Took one of the following English Language Proficiency Test not more than two years before the date of application. The list of tests and minimum scores required:

– IELTS Academic Test with a score of at least 6.5; or

– TOEFL paper-based test with a score of at least 580 or computer-based test with a score of at least 230 or internet-based test with a score at least 92.

• In excellent health condition and certified by a Certified Doctor/Medical Professional. The cost of medical examination is to be borne by the applicants.

• Wrote a proposal that is relevant to the field of studies.

• Has applied for and gained admission to postgraduate and post-doctoral studies in Malaysia (conditional letters of offer will be accepted at the time of application or has a confirmation of acceptance or affiliation with the Universities in Malaysia).

• COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN (CSFP)

https://biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER/

SAUDI ARABIA• KAUST Admissions _

===========================================Application Requirements===========================================TOEFL/IELTS Compulsory . GRE Highly encouragedFor PhD Studetnds it is compulsory to contact to professor ist prior to application.KAUST requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 on the IBT (Internet Based Test) or 6.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

•Submit an official, complete university Transcript/ Mark sheets/ Graduation Certificate/ Academic Record from every institution previously attended. A scan of the official transcript provided by the university in the native language must be uploaded into the online application along with the certified English translation. Your transcript must include the university grading scale for all documents submitted. If offered admission, an official final transcript must be sent to the Office of Admissions prior to arrival (during the on boarding process) in a sealed envelope to:Office of AdmissionsGraduate AffairsBuilding 9, Suite 43284700 King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwal, Jeddah 23955-6900Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• You must have three letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. Letters of recommendation are important and should be written by professors or advisors under whom you have pursued research or taken courses in your major field of study. Recommendation letters should be submitted through the application directly from the recommender. Recommenders should provide details about how he/she knows your work, as well as comparative statements (e.g., top 1% of class, best in past five years, etc.), and insight into your research ability.

• Also please add your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

• The benefits of the KAUST Fellowship include:

Full tuition supportMonthly living allowance (ranging between $20,000-30,000 annual, depending on qualifications and progression through degree programs)HousingMedical and dental coverage*Relocation support

Saudi Arabia: 2King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia• The Interested candidates should visit our

website http://dgsscholarship.kau.edu.sa for more details.Admission requirements1. Age does not exceed (35) years for Ph.D, and (30) years for M.Sc..2. An approved official academic qualification of grade not less than "Very Good", if

the degree offered in grades in the applicant home country.3. One of the following Score in English language exams:4. Exam type• ScoreTOEFL (PBT) 500TOEFL (CBT) 173TOEFL (IBT) 61IELTS 54.Fluency in Arabic Language is required for applicants applying for Islamic Law

and Studies, Arabic Language, Psychology, and Information Science.5.Good conductance and medical condition.6. Two recommendation letters from previous instructors.7. Applicant should not be dismissed from one of the educational institutions in

Saudi Arabia.

Turkey• Tubitak

2216 - Research Fellowship Programme for International Researchers

• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) grants fellowships for international highly qualified PhD students and young post-doctoral researchers to pursue their research in Turkey in the fields of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technological Sciences, Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities.

• IMPORTANT NOTE

please visit e-bideb.tubitak.gov.tr

https://www.tubitak.gov.tr/en/funds/academy/international-researchers-fellowship-programmes/content-2216-research-fellowship-programme-for-international-researchers

GermanyDAAD

http://www.daaddelhi.org/en/21700/index.html

Australia Endeavour Research Fellowship (Australian and non-

Australian)- Short term 6-8 monthshttps://internationaleducation.gov.au/Endeavour%20program/Scholarships-and-

Fellowships/International-applicants/Endeavour-Research-Fellowship/Pages/Endeavour-Research-Fellowship.aspx

Other Resources

• http://scholarship-positions.com/• http://www.scholars4dev.com/category/level

-of-study/phd-scholarships/• https://www.findaphd.com/funding/guides/p

hd-funding-guide.aspx• http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/split-site-

scholarships/• https://www.internationalscholarships.com/

FACEBOOK • SPARK PAGEhttps://www.facebook.com/Spark-100730093350141/

Kashir Scientisthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/kashirscientist/

SKS (Scholarships For Kashmiri Students)https://www.facebook.com/groups/153563148441490/

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QUESTIONS ARE

WELCOME

Contact : kur.hakeem@gmail.com