Hi guys,
Thank you for all your advice. I had a conversation with my academic supervisor today. He was disappointed to say the least at the action of the industrial supervisor, i.e. publishing my thesis without referencing nor acknowledging me nor my university. However, she wanted me to stay calm and focused on my present PhD. So I would have to pretend that nothing has happened and that I am not bothered, hoping that I would not be provoked in any way.

======= Date Modified 11 Apr 2011 14:14:33 =======
Hi guys,

Please I need your candid advice asap. I am in the second year of my PhD at a research institute, I am being funded by by the university though. Well, to cut to the chase, during my MSc placement at the same research institute, with all modesty, I was able to develop a separation method, and my industrial supervisors expressed interest in publication. The method development procedures and results were documented only in my thesis of which a hard copy was given to my industrial supervisor.

At my return for a PhD in the same institute, my industrial superivisor at the institute requested for the electronic version of my MSc thesis that he doesn’t seem to have it, which I obliged. Last week, he sent an email around that the work has been published, I was excited thinking that at least I would be mentioned as a co-author or acknowledged since I did the major work of the project. To my utter surprise, I was not mentioned at all in the whole publication, and the worst part is that, part of the paper was "uplifted" from my thesis.

I feel betrayed and taken for a fool, he didn’t ever mention to me that he was publishing, look at the way he made me to give my electronic version of thesis. I am disturbed because he is also part of my supervisory team, I hardly sleep. What do I do folks, what are my rights? Should I take a legal action or pretend as if nothing happened? don’t forget, other people were mentioned in the publication except me, well, they are staff of the organisation.

Hi Hydi,
I feel very sorry and frightened after reading your story. It is very sad and unfair, however, you should know that it will only get better; the whole experience will definitely make you much stronger and bolder than all your supervisors. This is apparently a case of group of arrogant and egocentric egg heads taking advantage of an individual, I really wish I could help but I am just about to start my PhD hence still a novice in the whole dynamics. In any case please keep your head high and have faith that it will surely be over. Wal please where are you? Your expertise is highly needed here more than ever.

Go for it!! I just secured a fully funded and competitive phd studentship; I had a not too impressive result in my BSc in a foreign university, however I had a distinction here in UK, I think that was what matters as well as I was fully prepared doing the interview process.

I got a distinction in my MSc, I just moved over to UK with my family (Wife and Son), it was very hectic because I finished undergrad about ten years ago, hence it was very difficult to adjust, moreover, I had to do part time work to meet the basic expensive bills and taxes in UK. I worked in the morning before going to the laboratory and I also worked in the evenings as well including weekends.

My motivation however was that I was determined to succeed and so I gave it all my best. At the end of the day, I would say my getting a distinction was highly dependent on God, hard work and my supervisor, who was very helpful as well.

So you can do it, go for it, and I bet you, it will make a lot of differences.

I sincerely want to o a PhD in environmental sciences, I applied to a studentship advertised in my former MSc School. I have been invited for a telephone interview, and I am glad and excited about it. However, I have never had a telephone interview before, guys, what do you think? Any idea on the directions it might go? Would my response(s) make or mar me? I got a distinction in my MSc and my supervisor gave me a very strong reference, will these give me an edge?