Alahai, senangnya....

Applying a place with ECU is really easy and hastle-free. I browse the ECU's website searching on information on how an international student like me are able to enrol in ECU's Phd program.

I encountered a link which guides me a step-by-step approach to apply my PhD study through online. All I need to do is to get my dissertation proposal ready in softcopy format while documents such as academic transcripts, academic certificates and other supporting documents ready in pdf format.

I then register my email in the site and started filling the required information and uploading all the documents one by one. Once everthing is completed, I clicked the "submit" button, and the site replied to me by stating that my application will be processed soon.

It took me about two days to get the copies of the documents certified and scanned it in pdf format and only a few minutes to fill the form online and upload it!!!

Such an easy job!!!

Mohon tempat pengajian

By end of June 2007, I've decided to take the opportunity to start applying for a place in ECU for Semester 2, 2008 intake. Though official announcement on the shcolarship application will only be available in August 2007, I think I need to get the official letter of offer from ECU as soon as possible.

I was thinking that, by the time I attend the interview session which could be somewhere in December 2007, I have already secured a place thus, this could be a good advantage for me to secure a scholarship then (hopefully..). Furthermore, I need to act fast as there will be a lot of potential applicants from my own faculty vying for the 2007/2008 scholarship award.

During the last batch, i.e. 2006/2007 application, there were 26 applicants out of 20 available places. From these 20 places, 14 were bound for overseas which was Australia and New Zealand. So, based on this scenario I believe future applicants will try to apply to further their studies overseas.

I then, emailed to Prof Malcolm Smith, asking him whether he would like to consider me to become his supervisee. He replied instantly by saying yes and he attached the ECU application form for the post graduate study in his email as well.....

Imagine that!!!!!

ECU

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is the uni that I've selected to pursue my PhD study. There are four good reasons to explain on the choice of ECU.

First of all, it is located in Western Aus where child education is free (one of the most pertinent requirements for those who wish to bring along his/her family members).

Another important reason is because of this person, Prof Malcolm Smith, who is a Professor of Accounting at its School of Accounting, Finance and Economics. I've known him since 2003 when I studied at University of South Australia (UniSA) last time. Back then, he was my Research Supervisor for my Master thesis. Our relationship last till this date. We still keep in touch trough email occasionally. I feel grateful to get to know him as he is the person who had provide assistance in publishing our (my colleagues and me) works in various refereed journals. Earlier this year, he cynically emailed me and said, "I will have two PhD students from your Uni this year,but not you....". Imagine how I felt!!! I've been emotionally and mentally challenged....And this is not the first time he had made such a remark!!!

The third reason, Perth is just about 5 hours away by air...plus the time zone is only 1 hour difference as compared to Malaysia. So it is basically quite near... (another good reason to easily hopping back to Malaysia).

And my final reason is, I have few colleagues who are currently or will be studying in ECU. HP and RD came in July 2007. SN and TZ will begin their study in ECU coming Feb 2008. Another friend of mine, RA, will begin her study at Curtin University which is also located in Perth in Feb 2008 as well.

Imagine how I feel right know. I feel blessed. Thanks God for making my life easy and hastle-free.. (at this point of time)

Remember my second posting??? Everything do happened for some good reasons....

Tagih nasihat

By June 2007, my dissertation proposal is about to be completed.

I think, at this stage I need professional advise from those who are experts in the area / field that I'm working with, requesting them to review my write-ups. Besides, I have to admit that I'm having problems in writing up the Methodology section.

At this juncture, I'm open to any form of feedback, be it a lengthy form of critics or just a simple plain recommendations.

So, I sent 14 emails of my draft proposal to them (quite an ambitious effort...don't you think???). They're from local, Australia and New Zealand universities. Anyhow, only a handful of them replied and commented. It's ok actually as it somehow shows that they are interested in my intended study.

The first positive reply came from ECU (Aus). The Prof commented that, as I quote, "Interesting. I think you need to make a case for why Malaysia might be different - this could be a good motivator....."

Next came from a Prof from UiTM. She congratulates me for my effort to pursue my PhD studies. She then did "track changes" for me using the Microsoft Word software to add/delete and commented on areas that she wish me to further elaborate.

Then, came from USM who had mentioned that my study is quite important. She then listed out her point of views of how the proposal need to be improved.

Other replies however, are basically the steroreotypical type of answer as "Thank you. I will look into it later...." (sampai la ni tak dapek dapek lagi.....)

But somehow I feel grateful that, at the very least, I am on the correct path....

Cadangan penyelidikan

It all started somewhere in May 2007. The 14-weeks classes have just ended. A three-week exam sessions are about to start. Therefore, I try to make use of this time to start preparing for my PhD dissertation proposal.

I've decided that my field of study will be in internal auditing/corporate governance. Why??? Well thanks to AUD 571, an Internal Auditing paper that I've taught for quite some time now. Initially I'm quite hesitant to teach such a purely dry theory paper.But some how I try to cajole myself, thinking that some good things will turn up eventually. And voila.... after teaching the paper for 4 semester ... an idea came up for my proposal!!

Anyhow, things doesn't come so easily for me. Though I managed to think of the exact area of my study, but just to think about a suitable topic to start with, the methodology of the study i.e., sample selection, the need to formulate a theoretical framework, to identify suitable theories underpinning the research etc2....is really exhausting!!!!

I do have experience in writing up academic papers previously, I have two of my works published in a refereed journal, and I have presented papers in various avenues internationally as well as at national conferences.

But this time around my intended study requires a different set of approach.

Different???? Yup... first, it's a survey type of research requiring the use of questionnaire (it's my first time using this approach actually) and second, I really need to answer the BIG question - "do my study fill in the gap of knowledge?" ( it's PhD maaa!!!!)

It's tough actually...it needs a really2 tough effort. To tell you the truth, to date I've prepared 3 draft of proposal and still I need to do a lot of ammendmends/changes to convince the selection panels and more importantly to my potential supervisor that my proposal is viable and suitable for a PhD level.

The drafts were then discussed with those who are experts in the field (too many of them... from local Unis and overseas..plus with the never ending story of lots of ammendmends/correction of errors/etc...). The crazy thing is I sent my 2nd draft for my scholarship application but I presented the 3rd draft during my interview session at the Faculty level (Finally, I am more secured with my final draft)

Though I am yet to commit my full-time study..I can really start feeling the tense and the pressure of being a PhD candidate!!!!

Mind you... this is only a TINY tip of a HUGE iceberg.....

Kena sah dalam jawatan dulu...

I've been thinking to pursue my PhD study for quite some time. It's just that the timing need to be correct.... plus with some uni policies and procedures that needed to be adhered to.

After graduating from my Master study, I started my career in Dec 2003 (well...actually I started in Feb 2001 as a contract lecturer before leaving the uni to pursue my study) holding a Temporary post.I am only eligible to apply for my uni scholarship in Aug 2007.

To apply, the person needs to be confirmed in his positioned first. So this is how it all started..... First, I've to be admitted in a permanent post (admitted in April 2004) after graduating from my Master study (in 2003). Then, to be confirmed in my position (Pengesahan di Dalam Jawatan Tetap), I need to attend a two-week Induction Course (compulsory....plus the candidates are required to submit two assignments and sit for an exam).

I've applied to sit for the Course in 2005, unfortunately, Shah Alam had denied my application simply because..."ada ramai lagi senior yang dah tiga tahun berkhidmat yang masih belum lagi hadir Kursus Induksi....Jadi kami dahulukan mereka2 ni dulu...."

That really2 irritates me.... I then need to find a suitable date to choose from to ensure that the course did not clash with any study and exam sessions. To cut things short, I've to wait till Apr 2006 just to materialise this.

Then, by May 2006, I got the Induction Course results, of which I passed. Next, applied to get my position confirmed. And on Feb 2007, I've confirmed in my post. Alhamdulillah......

So....it took me more than two years in order to be eligible to apply for my PhD Scholarship..... (as one of the requirements is the candidates needed to be confirmed in his position first). Should I get through with the Induction Course in 2005, I would be able to save 1 year of my precious life in getting my scholarship....

Anyhow, it all happen for reasons... I abide to that!!

Aku pun ada laaa....

Blog.....

It is basically a diary of oneself.... Funny thing is I never write in a diary before this. I used to have perceptions that diaries are only for girls. But the truth is, probably it's very difficult for me to really express myself...let it alone to write and expose about me in my own blog website!!!

Anyhow, I guess it's better for me to make use of this site as a medium to share information and experience about my PhD study in Edith Cowan University in Perth soon...

This blog will definitely be an avenue for my relatives, friends, current and former students and hopefully to anyone out there who wish to keep in touch with me throughout my life living in Western Australia beginning July 2008.

So...let my blog life begins...............