My PhD

This autumn heralds the graduation ceremony that I have once gone through in 2008. Looking back, it was all worth it. I was a fresh graduate back in 2008 to then a postgraduate and now a post-doc.

13 March 2012, the day has finally arrived. It appeared in my dreams many times, everything happened on that day seemed so familiar. The ceremony was such a sensational occasion - the culmination of years of hard work; the actualization of goals attained and the acknowledgement of successes achieved. I was so glad that this time, I have my parent here together with me to commemorate this moment- a moment when the trajectory of my hunger for highest academic qualification reached its destination. It has been a journey that started with tentative steps perhaps, but one that has taken me to remarkable heights. I have encountered heaps of trials and tribulations along the way...soldiered on and came out the stronger for them. I have experienced exceptional moments, magical moments and created memories that will be fondly remembered in the years ahead. Most significantly, I have a change in salutation in which I am in desperate need and I hope I will be greatly benefited in some other ways.

What an exhilarating ceremony it was, signaled the end of the limbo in exchange with the ostensible effort which is now amounted to a dissertation. My doctoral thesis write up that took up one whole year has been in many ways appears to be a solitary, isolating process. It is my formulaic piece, begins with a review of extant literature covering the general and specific fields of investigation, and the statement of a problem, followed by an exposition of the methodology used to investigate said problem, and the findings subsequently revealed. After some considerable analysis, there is a discussion of how the findings inform some resolution of the problem, and the implications thereof. Finally, there is the author’s reflection on the conclusions, some enumeration of the limitations of the study, suggested guidance for transforming discovered theory into practical application, and a statement of what further research may be inspired by the findings and conclusions of this research. It was indeed a marathon and I was living in savagery and brutality till late 2011.

As I look back over the last few years, certainly there was a beginning, and thankfully there was also progress and yes, undeniably I succeed it. I have enormous gratitude towards D who walked along with me through my moody adolescence. Of all those others in my personal life whose encouragement has been so vital, D’s has been heartfelt, consistent and deeply appreciated. D has been motivating forces that I could not have been without to reach this milestone. My thesis is certainly to be dedicated to D who never stops believing in me.

My parent who visited me here in 2008 and now 2012, both witnessed the beautiful moment. I can never thank them enough, particularly my mom who has phenomenal kindness, and given me a support, that I can only hope to repay in every single day from now. Thanks to my dad who raised me and showered me with Lego bricks, which inculcated me with a love of mechanics. To my mom and dad, I have certainly proved myself to be someone you can proud of, despite the disappointment I bring to the family in other sense. Thanks to my brothers who have offered unstinting belief.

Family 2008

Family 2012