Ever-changing experience

14 February 2023

by Darren Low Yi Sern
School of Engineering

1. Tell us about this scholarship.

The Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship is campus-funded for high-achieving students in their undergraduate years and those pursuing their postgraduate studies at Monash University Malaysia. The scholarship package encompasses a tuition fee waiver for the postgraduate course and a monthly stipend.

2. Why did you apply for this scholarship?

I applied for this scholarship as I viewed it as a great opportunity to ease the transition for my postgraduate studies, especially from a financial perspective. The scholarship is unique as it provides its recipients with teaching support opportunities for them to gain experience and build a strong profile in the field of tertiary-level education. This scholarship has provided me with the best of both worlds, where it supports me throughout my research candidature and allows me to gain experience aligned with my passion for teaching.

3. How did you choose your planned program of study?

I decided to commence my studies in Chemical Engineering as I was always interested in processing how raw materials could be made into products we use daily. Through my undergraduate degree with more stream-specific units, I began to find my interest in nanotechnology, materials and sustainable processing, which I further pursued as overlapping fields of my current PhD research. Additionally, with a great passion for teaching, obtaining a doctoral degree is the golden ticket to numerous opportunities in academia.

4. What do you hope to gain from the Monash experience?

As a proud alumnus, my experience in Monash since my undergraduate years has been rewarding and memorable. Pursuing my postgraduate studies in my alma mater extends the Monash experience to greater heights in academia. Through the years, I hope that the Monash experience continues to nourish other students and me alike to adapt to the ever-changing environments from both local and international perspectives.

5. How has the scholarship assisted you?

The scholarship has greatly assisted me financially through the tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend. Furthermore, with excellent opportunities to provide teaching support for undergraduate units, it is the best stepping stone for building an outstanding academic portfolio with teaching and tutoring experience from a reputable tertiary institution.

More information on our scholarships available here.