Thinking

What are the criteria to be a good researcher, graduate student, PhD candidate, PhD holder etc..??? These are something we always fail to recognize, or even sometimes fail to become one. .The main criteria to become one of those are we should be able to think, generate new idea, recognize research risk, layout the idea nicely, and the most important thing is capability to make a wise decision.

Sometimes, I simply do not blame anybody of failing to become one of those. If we somehow do not have kind of environment that support creative thinking and free flow of idea there is no way we can nurture research thinking. By end of the day, we will only produce research technician who do everything by SOP or manual-without thinking. I would say we actually producing robots that do everything that we program..

In research, we need to allow ourselves to make mistakes. Then, we learn from our mistakes to improve our outcomes. If we are too afraid to make mistakes, we surely will make more mistakes or serious mistakes beyond our imagination. Give ourselves enough space to think, arrange idea, and also don't afraid to try!

Doc Childre and Bruce Cryer, From Chaos to Coherence
"Flexibility and adaptability do not happen just by reacting fast to new information. They arise from mental and emotional balance, the lack of attachment to specific outcomes, and putting care for self and others as a prime operating principle. Flexible attitudes build flexible physiology. Flexible physiology means more resilience in times of challenge or strain. Staying open—emotionally—insures internal flexibility".

apex-when we fly above radar

When USM was chosen as the only apex university in Malaysia, I already comment about it. Well, as I expected, when THES2008 list came out most newspapers and blogs argued HOW the only apex university drop in the ranking..well, I believe USM becomes of interest due to their apex status. That's what happen when we fly above radar-easily detected and get shot! Unfortunately, once we fly above radar, there's no turning back. There's no way for us to suddenly commit 'kamikaze' etc..:-) Somehow we simply have to live up to such a high expectation...well, like VC said "failure is just not an option"..

* I learned about this ranking when I was on the same flight with DVC to KL. yeah..I should asked his comment..hehehe..

To all my friends-PhD candidates

I believe my PhD candidate friends still visit my blog from time to time...:-D Here is a good news to motivate you guys to finish up your Ph.D A.S.A.P...Those who are not in lecturer scheme, once you come back you will be appointed as DS51. There are some regulations though, credit BM, completed 1 good quality research (basically your PhD thesis will do), paper (conference or journal is ok).. Those who are currently in DS45, you can sit for PTK and apply for DS52. Another option, you can resign, and get appointed to DS51 the very next day...How cool...:-)

All options do not benefit me that much though, but I believe sometimes we always have to choose which one is the best for us..We just simply cannot grab everything...Technically, I'm gambling for something I'm just not sure hahaha..I have excuse for doing so-advice form certain people...so, if it doesn't happened I have somebody to blame hahahaha....

Ok guys and gals, hopefully you will come back soon with PhD.....Stay focus...

p/s: Those who haven't get momentum to do your PhD, please take this as a motivation for you to fill in the application form...hehehehe....

U ranking..

I guess most of my colleagues were upset to see our university drop from 5 star to 3 star as in news paper in the this link University ranking

What can we say?? Something need to be done we cannot just simply blame the system..I just wonder how 5 star university drop to 3 star university under Research University program...Syok sendiri kot hahahahaha....

Sometimes we just need a little push...

My first batch FYP students finished their project completely last week..Of course, I realized sometimes I gave them a hard time. I always believe they can do their best so that I keep pushing them to strive the best in them. I'm glad majority of them are 3 pointer students so lots of job offer waiting for them already..Although it's difficult time for me to look for RA or potential master student, I'm glad all of them are marketable...

I thank all of them for good results...some are publishable, some need extra works that my RA will continue during this semester break. I think I taught them more on how to survive in the real world which they can't get anywhere else...

Here is part of the email from one of my student:-)

Dear Dr,

A million Thanks I send to you Dr! For everything you've done. I'm so so so glad to have you as my supervisor~~
I was being lazy at the beginning... You asked me one question: 'When only you want to start your FYP??', that I stil remember until now. B'cos of this question, I decided to put all effort and strive to the best! And today, finally Im grad, thank you Dr for your patient, your wisdom and your support~! I can't imagine if you never ask me that question...Hahahaha~~~

sincerely,

Slap on my face..

Few days ago I received a call from HR from one electronic company..She called me because she needed my help to find Malay fresh graduates for engineer position in the company..Since I wasn't that familiar with this university status, I promised to get back to her..Guess what, after spoke to my colleagues seems like all 3++ pointer Malay graduates just not interested to join electrical and electronic company...I felt very embarrassed to call the company to tell them we just simply do not have Malay graduate that fulfill their criteria..what a shame...Today, the director of the company rang me..She was very surprised to hear the situation with our Malay graduate...very few of them in second class upper category and they just simply not interested! What can I say....

Sometimes..we just can't change the mentality...If you want easy job, go back to your hometown and fly kite!