Overview of akui on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of akui

Signup date: 07 Jun 2010 at 2:57pm

Last login: 26 Jul 2011 at 7:17pm

Post count: 58

Recent Posts

2 questions about prospective PhD life

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

======= Date Modified 26 13 2010 07:13:49 =======
Hi everyone,

I am a new PhD student from China, about to start research this October. I've found 2 questions hard to answer by myself. So, I really appriciate your help here.

1. How much chance do I have to receive my degree in 3 years?

My funding lasts for only 3 years and it would be tough for me if I spent a fourth year writing desertation, though I don't need to pay the tuition fees during that time. I have talked with my supervisor and he said that I could make it in 3 yrs if I try. I don't see any committment here. So I wonder is it really possible to get all done in 3 yrs and how many of you succeed?

2. How should I call my supervisor?

On written occasions, I just call him Professor + Last name and so do Chinese in demestic universities. But I know that you guys like to call each other just First names even if the other person is superior to you. In this way, it seems to show that you guys are very close to each other. So I wonder is it appropriate to call your supervisor first names on informal occasions.

Thank you very much.:-)

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

======= Date Modified 17 Jun 2010 10:13:28 =======
Hi, everyone!

Thank you for the information and advice. I think I'm gonna to Leeds. This is mainly based on the supervisor's research reputation, publication and RAE rank. As for other aspects, I believe that they are more or less the same.

I don't know whether this would be a wise choice, but according to what the situation is now, I think it is the one that would most likely bring me better prospects.

Thank you and thank Postgraduate Forum for providing such a good communicating platform. Wish you every success in doing your PhD.
:-)

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Quote From zipidee:

Hi Akui,
Good luck with your decision! It does sound like Leeds is the forerunner for you in terms of supervisor. However, I did giggle at the image of Glasgow that was portrayed by another poster. That's really outdated. It now is full of poseurs 8-). I'm not even going to launch into a full defence (as have phd to write :-) ). The University of Glasgow is in the top 1% of universities world-wide and please google image the main building and the cloisters - built in 1451 and completely enchanting. Anyway, that's me off to get my deep fried Mars Bar...sigh....

Hi Zipidee,

Thank you for your opinion.

Now, I think Ive got a clear and objective picture of Glasgow and the university. It's a nice place to live and study with minor drawbacks as every big cities may also have. Acturally, that doesn't seem to be a main factor I intend to take into account. Look at the original post and you will find what I mainly care is the research quality and job prospects. Still, that's also good news. Thanks for sharing.:-)

Wish you success in your phd thesis.

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Hi, Slowmo,

Thank you very much for your advice and sharing your personal experience.

You are right. Publications don't mean everything. Ive made contact to these supervisors several times and the responses are more or less the same. Can't tell them apart just from emails. What I want to do now is trying to find people who used to study at these universities and listen to their opinions. If it doesnt work out, only can I hope that the most prestigeful supervisor could also be the most easy-going and warm-hearted.:-)

Like you said, "Go with what feels right for you". I will and I also admire your job. ;-)

Twitter

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

I can't log on twitter here. I think the government is blocking it. Pity!:-(

IS ORSAS PHASED OUT?????

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Hi.
I think ORSAS has been cancelled, but not in Scottland. You can still apply for SORSAS at Scottish universities. Besides, other universities also provide similiar fully-funded scholarship to make up the drop out of ORS.

As for the eligibility part, Im not sure.
:-)

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Quote From Giawu:

I would choose Birmingham or Leeds

Thanks. Any specific reasons regarding to research quality or job opportunities?
:-)

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Come on, guys. Say something! Make a vote. The deadline is approaching! ;-)

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Quote From squiggles:

I know that Glasgow may get a bad reputation, but I'm sure every city has its rough areas. Having lived in Glasgow all my life, I find it a very nice place to live, and no worse than any other city I've visited. Yes, it has its problems, yes, there's begging on the streets, but isn't that the case in every major city up and down the country? The west end of Glasgow, which is where the University is, is lovely - parks, trees, beautiful houses.
I don't think that the original poster sounds too keen on Glasgow anyway for other reasons, but I just wanted to add my tuppence-worth and say that Glasgow is not as bad as people make out!
:-)

Hi, squiggles
It is definitely true that every city has its rough areas. I didn't mean to bring about a regional discrimination or something. Look at my orginal post "Does anyone know about MEMS in these universities? Which university has the best research facilities and the best job prospects." Please just focus on these.

I am not inclined on Glasgow just based on what I've got now. It is a process of collecting information. Who knows the final decision?;-)

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Quote From goodboy:

Dear Akui!

Besides RAE Leeds also has attracted greater portion of EPSRC funding from Gov towards Doctoral Training Accounts which reflects its quality of research. http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/ListSchemeOrgs.aspx?SchemeId=26. EE in Birmingham comes very low in terms of the success or pass rate as been told by my friend who studied there between 05-09.

Thank you for your information. EPSRC funding does reflect research quality. Still universities recieve funding supports from other resources, which may even take a greater part. :-) I will collect information as much as possible. Tired.:-(

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Quote From jepsonclough:

I know nothing about your subject but RAE should definitely be a (major) factor you consider. Leeds is a really popular student city so depending on how old you are you might also want to take that into account.

I'm in my mid 20s and I also heard that there is a very popular student union here. Seems that I don't need to worry about my extracurricular time. Thank you for your reminding.

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Quote From bandana:

Hi

Am Bandana, looking for a phd in MEMS. Could u plz tell me how to get that.
send mail to my account - [email protected]

Hi, I don't think there is anything special here. Find a supervisor and make the application, that's all!

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Quote From goodboy:

It is not clear from your post that if Etching/Fabrication etc would be a requirement or only simulation is needed for this PhD.

That part, I'm still consulting with professors. Thank you for your advice.
I also heard that EE in Leeds ranked No. 1 in RAE 2008. Should it also count for taking offer in Leeds?

:-)

Help me choose EE offers in MEMS: Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham

akui 58 posts
14 years ago

Hello, everybody! I'm new here and really hope that you guys can help me out. Thank you.

I've got 3 offers from universities in the title with the same funding. My research project would be MEMS-related (MicroElectroMechanical system). Supervisors in both Leeds and Birmingham are professors with excellent publications (Leeds is better, to be exact), whilst supervisor in Glasgow is not a professor with not so good publications. My follow-up plan after PhD graduation is to find a job in companies in UK or US.

Does anyone know about MEMS in these universities? Which university has the best research facilities and the best job prospects. Which offer should I take?

Thank you.:-)