Tied to the ocean

20 March 2023

1. Why did you apply for this scholarship?

Deciding to apply for a scholarship was pretty straightforward. Being a doctorate is not just studying, but it should be considered a full-time job - all your focus is researching a specific topic for three full years (if you are lucky enough to finish the program in three years!). So, receiving a scholarship to sustain this process and be worry-free during these years was very important. Moreover, receiving such a Scholarship of excellence would add value to my curriculum vitae.

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

I am a marine biologist by training who has worked for more than fifteen years in cooperation and development in the aquaculture and fisheries research areas. During my last appointment in Penang, when COVID-19 started, I realised I had to prioritise my personal growth. Life is too short of having regrets. I always wanted to continue my studies with a Doctorate, which would allow me to focus on my research interests with no distractions. My previous work experiences have opened my interest in social science and scientific areas such as aquaculture or fisheries. There is always a “people” lens, and most of the time is the most interesting one. So, I have decided to research a topic dear to me: youth unemployment in fisheries and aquaculture.

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

First of all, having fallen in love with Malaysia, I didn’t want to leave the country, so I started looking for Universities in Malaysia that would allow me to deepen my research topic. When I saw that Monash University, one of the best universities in the world, had a campus in Malaysia, I couldn’t avoid applying to Monash. I hope Monash will continue to give me the scientific support I am already receiving from my research advisors, who are highly experienced and very approachable. I believe that graduating from an institution like Monash would help my career growth in the future and open many doors.

4. How has the scholarship assisted you?

Other than the scholarship per se, which helps me pay my bills, it gave me the opportunity to explore how it is to teach and tutor, and I happily found out that teaching is amazing and gives you a lot of gratification when you see that bachelor or masters’ students enjoy your classes and are very participative. Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t have had the chance to experience this profession or role, and it would have been a big miss.

More information on our scholarships available here.