This presentation shall introduce the concept of scientific research and opportunities for upcoming researchers

1. 1
Dr. Khalid Rehman Hakeem
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science
King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA
kur.hakeem@gmail.com
RESEARCH BEYOND
BORDERS:
Sky is the limit

2. Lecture Outline
• Introduction
• Biological research- Current Challenges
and avenues
• Choosing a right Supervisor
• Where to conduct Research
Local and International
• Resources

3. 4 Years Research work @ Universiti Putra Malaysia
Ferry S, Víctor A-R …. Khalid Rehman Hakeem et al., (2017) A
Phylogenetic Classification Of The World’s Tropical Forests. NATURE
(IF= 42.351)
_ (under Minor Revision)

4. 4
Research Collaborations
Dr. Huseyin, Fatih
Universiti ,Turkey
Philippines, Mangrove
Group
Prof. John Yong, Singapore
University of Technology and
Design, Singapore
Prof. Wu Jun and students, Jinan University,
Guangzhou, China
Dr. M. Sabir,
University of
Agriculture,
Faisalabad, Pakistan

5. Books with international Publishers
(Total= 22)

6. Our Latest Proteomics Research
For full publication list visit my Research gate account
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Khalid_Hakeem
OR
Personal website
www.Khalidhakeem.weebly.com
Omics
(IF=2.723)
ABAB
(IF=1.89)
Mol. Breeding
(IF=3.25)
ABAB
(IF=1.89)
IJMR
(IF=3.226)
JPP
(IF=3.121)

7. • “Research is an
Endeavour to discover,
develop and verify
knowledge –Rumnell
• Scientific research is
a systematic and
objective effort to
offer solutions to
problems
Wernher von Braun

8. The world is changing
• Population growth
• Resource consumption
• Climate change
• Pollution
• Rapid decline of
biodiversity
• Habitat loss and
fragmentation
• Invasive pests
• New Diseases
• Drug Resistance

9. Biology is changing
• Collaborative
• Multi-disciplinary
• New technology
• Next generation DNA
sequencing
• Massive amounts of data
• New analytical methods
• Reproductive
technologies
• Genetic manipulation
• Synthetic biology

10. Keys to success in modern
biology
• Shift from specific knowledge to generic skills
• Shift from specialisation to multi-disciplinary
collaboration and synthesis of ideas
• Shift from particular technological approaches to
strategies for learning and adapting new
techniques
• Ability to integrate knowledge from different
areas
• Research skills, philosophy of science, how to
make and record observations, ask questions,
construct testable hypotheses, design
experiments, analyse results, make inferences,
communicate findings, etc.
• Information literacy, finding and assessing the
quality of information, critical thinking, critical
literacy

11. Alarming
Situation

12. University
Ranking?
Invention?
Publication?
Industrial-
University
Gap?
Research?
Marketable
Student?
Difficult
Promotion?
Conducive
Environment?
U-Science?
University
Politic
Problem?
Consultation?
Lecturing?
Language?
Overseas
student
Social
Problem?
Security?
Traffic?
Safety?
Internet?
Library?
Facility?
Overseas
lecturer
Problem?
Over
development in
campus?
Team
Research?
University’s
Issues
Sustainable
Development

13. What should a student consider before
He/She start?

14. Do I want to
spend the
next 3-4
years of my
life on this
research??
Am I motivated
enough to last such
a long research?
My family and
friends. Do I
have their
support??
How about the
financial
support??
Are you ready to join
the research ?

15. How to Start ???

16. Whatever you do, do it with all
“Great works are performed not by strength, but by
Perseverance”

17. Supervisor
Classification
• Professor Never There
• Dr Slave Labour No
Research
• Dr No New Ideas
Since1995
• Professor Changes
Direction
• Dr Lone Worker
• Dr Over bearing
Interferer
• Dr Test till you Break
• Dr Never Satisfied
• Dr Happy to be
Mediocre
– Prof Different planet
– Prof Perfect SupervisorSupervisors are humans too….

18. Picking a Supervisor
• Do due diligence
• Do the research -look at publications, conference
presentations, etc.
• Ask questions -current and former students,
colleagues, etc.
• Talk to several potential supervisors
• Go in with eyes open
• Co-supervisors if necessary

19. Picking a Supervisor:
Factors to Consider
• Expertise
• Reputation
• Teaching and learning style
• Expectations
• Personality

20. What Not to Look For
• Best friend
• Drinking buddy
• Business partner
• Any other relationship that could create a
conflict of interest or which could lead to
conflict that could interfere with your
academic career

21. Expectations of the Supervisor
• Realize they are postgraduate student
•Able to think out of the box
•Be self aware and appreciate there may be more
than one way to do things
• Excellent in self management
• Excellent in time management
• Serious and committed on their research & thesis
• Able to write and publish paper in ISI journal /high
impact journal
•Try to find win-win solutions to differences

22. WHAT MOTIVATES YOUR SUPERVISOR?
•Good research results for publication
•Sign up to our brilliant work.
•Originality, finding new ideas
•Positive relationships with co-workers
•Avoiding trouble with students who fail
•Test their wacky theories they haven’t the time
to test themselves
•Enjoy being a pedagogue
•Competitive advantage
•Competition through collaboration

23. What are the stresses on student?
Here comes the role of Supervisor to be the friend and
mentor to detentionize the stress among students

24. Tips to Survive During
Graduate Studies
•Start with a plan
•Be flexible
•Be firm with your research
work
•Set dateline or goal to achieve
•your research target
•Know when to stop
•Think about the next step
•Discuss with supervisor

25. Key to Success
Belief
Effort
Focus
Passion
Determination

26. Where to conduct the research ?
• Local/National Opportunities:
Fellowships (CSIR, UGC, Minority, Inspire etc)
Some Great Institutions
IISC Bangalore,
IIT’S,
Universities like JNU, Delhi Uni., Hyderabad Uni.,
JMI, JH, KU,CU, etc
Institutes; IIIM, CDFD,CCMB, NII, JNSAR etc

27. International Opportunities:
General Requirments
• Passport
• Good CGPA Score
• Recommendation letter
• Previous research experience
• Research Techniques known
• English Professions tests: IELTS, TOFEL
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
(https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/gre-test-description.aspx)
• Research Proposal
• Good Communication skills

28. 1. Study in
Malaysia
World Ranking
Malaysian English
Proficiency Index
Asian Ranking
International Opportunities

29. Recognition 2016

30. • Malaysia
MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
This scholarship is divided into two (2) categories of study: Postgraduate and
Post-doctoral Studies.
• Not be more than 40 years (Postgraduate) and 45
years (Post-doctoral) of age during application.
• Obtained a minimum of Second Class Upper
(Honours) or a CGPA of 3.5/4.0 at Bachelor Degree
Level for Masters Degree applicants and for PhD
candidates must possess CGPA 3.5/4.0 or very good
result at Masters degree level in a similar field of
intended PhD study.

31. • Took one of the following English Language Proficiency Test not more
than two years before the date of application. The list of tests and
minimum scores required:
– IELTS Academic Test with a score of at least 6.5; or
– TOEFL paper-based test with a score of at least 580 or computer-
based test with a score of at least 230 or internet-based test with a
score at least 92.
• In excellent health condition and certified by a Certified Doctor/Medical
Professional. The cost of medical examination is to be borne by the
applicants.
• Wrote a proposal that is relevant to the field of studies.
• Has applied for and gained admission to postgraduate and post-doctoral
studies in Malaysia (conditional letters of offer will be accepted at the
time of application or has a confirmation of acceptance or affiliation with
the Universities in Malaysia).
• COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND
FELLOWSHIP PLAN (CSFP)
https://biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER/

32. SAUDI ARABIA
• KAUST Admissions _
===========================================
Application Requirements
===========================================
TOEFL/IELTS Compulsory . GRE Highly encouraged
For PhD Studetnds it is compulsory to contact to professor ist prior to application.
KAUST requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 on the IBT (Internet Based Test) or 6.0 on the
IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
•
Submit an official, complete university Transcript/ Mark sheets/ Graduation Certificate/
Academic Record from every institution previously attended. A scan of the official transcript
provided by the university in the native language must be uploaded into the online application
along with the certified English translation. Your transcript must include the university grading
scale for all documents submitted. If offered admission, an official final transcript must be sent
to the Office of Admissions prior to arrival (during the on boarding process) in a sealed
envelope to:
Office of Admissions​
Graduate Affairs
Building 9, Suite 4328
4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Thuwal, Jeddah 23955-6900
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

33. • You must have three letters of recommendation submitted on your
behalf. Letters of recommendation are important and should be written
by professors or advisors under whom you have pursued research or
taken courses in your major field of study. Recommendation letters
should be submitted through the application directly from the
recommender. Recommenders should provide details about how he/she
knows your work, as well as comparative statements (e.g., top 1% of class,
best in past five years, etc.), and insight into your research ability.
• Also please add your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• The benefits of the KAUST
Fellowship include:
Full tuition support​
Monthly living allowance (ranging between $20,000-30,000 annual,
depending on qualifications and progression through degree programs)
Housing
Medical and dental coverage*
Relocation support

34. Saudi Arabia: 2
King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• The Interested candidates should visit our
website http://dgsscholarship.kau.edu.sa for more details.
Admission requirements
1. Age does not exceed (35) years for Ph.D, and (30) years for M.Sc..
2. An approved official academic qualification of grade not less than "Very Good", if
the degree offered in grades in the applicant home country.
3. One of the following Score in English language exams:
4. Exam type
• Score
TOEFL (PBT) 500
TOEFL (CBT) 173
TOEFL (IBT) 61
IELTS 5
4.Fluency in Arabic Language is required for applicants applying for Islamic Law
and Studies, Arabic Language, Psychology, and Information Science.
5.Good conductance and medical condition.
6. Two recommendation letters from previous instructors.
7. Applicant should not be dismissed from one of the educational institutions in
Saudi Arabia.

35. Turkey
• Tubitak
2216 - Research Fellowship Programme for
International Researchers
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) grants fellowships for
international highly qualified PhD students and young post-doctoral researchers to pursue
their research in Turkey in the fields of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technological
Sciences, Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities.
• IMPORTANT NOTE
please visit e-bideb.tubitak.gov.tr
https://www.tubitak.gov.tr/en/funds/academy/international-researchers-fellowship-
programmes/content-2216-research-fellowship-programme-for-international-researchers

36. Germany
DAAD
http://www.daaddelhi.org/en/21700/index.html
Australia
Endeavour Research Fellowship (Australian and non-
Australian)- Short term 6-8 months
https://internationaleducation.gov.au/Endeavour%20program/Scholarships-and-
Fellowships/International-applicants/Endeavour-Research-
Fellowship/Pages/Endeavour-Research-Fellowship.aspx

37. Other Resources
• http://scholarship-positions.com/
• http://www.scholars4dev.com/category/level
-of-study/phd-scholarships/
• https://www.findaphd.com/funding/guides/p
hd-funding-guide.aspx
• http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/split-site-
scholarships/
• https://www.internationalscholarships.com/

38. FACEBOOK
• SPARK PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/Spark-100730093350141/
Kashir Scientist
https://www.facebook.com/groups/kashirscientist/
SKS (Scholarships For Kashmiri Students)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/153563148441490/

39. 39
QUESTIONS
ARE
WELCOME
Contact : kur.hakeem@gmail.com