On Monday, August 19, 2024, the Master of Science and Doctoral (MD) Program at FEB UGM successfully held an event titled ‘How to Link Your Research Proposal to the Prospective Supervisor and Successful LoA.’ The event featured two Ph.D. students, Abylay Syzdykov and Bakyt Tolegenow, both of whom are Ph.D. candidates at the University of Glasgow.
The event was conducted in person at the Lippo Room, 2nd Floor, Master of Science and Doctoral Building, FEB UGM, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM WIB.
During the event, Abylay Syzdykov and Bakyt Tolegenow actively engaged with the participants, creating a dynamic and informative discussion atmosphere. They discussed the importance of a deep understanding of research topics and how to align research proposals with the interests and expertise of prospective supervisors. The two speakers, who have firsthand experience in pursuing Ph.D. studies abroad, provided practical tips that participants could apply in their process of finding the right supervisor. They also shared personal experiences regarding the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, offering inspiration and motivation to participants preparing to pursue higher education.
Bakyt emphasized that clear and open communication with prospective supervisors is crucial to ensuring that the submitted proposal is not only relevant but also appealing to the supervisor. Meanwhile, Abylay added that successfully obtaining a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) largely depends on the student’s ability to demonstrate strong research potential and alignment with the supervisor’s area of expertise. He also provided practical tips on how to write effective emails to prospective supervisors, including how to catch their attention through the research proposal.
The discussion was lively, with participants asking questions to delve deeper into the best strategies for attracting the interest of potential supervisors and increasing the chances of obtaining an LoA. With the conclusion of this event, it is hoped that participants will be able to prepare more robust research proposals and have the right strategies in place for finding supervisors who align with their fields of study. The event was concluded with an award presentation and a group photo.
