The University

THE REGION, EUROPE, THE WORLD
yan yan, studying in China and Denmark, is struggling
because she is a researcher immersed in two cultural
worlds. She says: “i would like to carry out qualitative
research but, as a person who comes from a collectivistic
culture, i have problems doing this because
these types of studies require involving the researcher’s
subjective view. From early childhood, we are imbued
with humbleness so i am constantly wondering
whether, as an explorer, i have the right to subjective
evaluation.”
The search and the dilemmas
yan yan is taking her Master’s degree but she is
thinking of writing her doctoral thesis in the West. She
says: “in China, carrying out studies that touch upon
politics is disallowed. There is no transparency nor flow
of information. Access to documentation, government
resolutions is impossible. i want to study abroad also in
order to understand the world and other viewpoints.
Such knowledge is what shapes research skills.”
Chetan would like to earn his PhD degree in the
UK. he says: “A degree achieved in this country is more
highly honored on the job market than one obtained
in india. The subject area i study has just emerged in
india, while in the UK it is being fully developed.”
Roger plans on going to the Centre for Globalization
at the University of Bristol. he says: “As for globalization
issues – my subject of interest – the Philippines
are locally-oriented. Denmark, on the other hand, is
concentrated mainly on the Nordic region. The UK gives
access to the newest studies in the global perspective.
Arianna is considering finishing her doctoral thesis
in italy and moving as soon as possible to a different
country in order to take up post-doctoral studies. She
says: “The system of higher education in italy does not
suit me. Professors have many students but very little
time. Thus, they do not teach us how to carry out research,
they do not permit PhD students to participate
in academic discussions. They rarely happen to know
foreign languages and are not open-minded towards
international contacts. Seminars and classes at doctoral
studies have little in common with shaping research
skills.”
Bente transferred her PhD thesis from Norway to
Denmark for financial reasons. She says: “i was admitted
to doctoral studies at the University of Oslo but
there, you are required to obtain funds for the entire
study period. i managed to get a grant only for one
year from the local hospital. here, in Denmark, the yearly
financing cycle is accepted and, as a person working
half-time, i have a period of six years, not three, to complete
my thesis. Although the amount of the doctoral
scholarship in Denmark corresponds to the earnings of
a university professor, i did not apply for it. it is attainable
only by 5% of students of humanities and 50% of
pure sciences PhD students.”
however, the cooperation between Danish universities
and companies or external institutions gives an
opportunity to attain funding from other sources. For
example, Anna is doing a so-called industrial PhD. She
says: “half of my research is financed by trade unions
and the other half – by the university. As a result, i have
to divide my working time between the two institutions.
Just like most humanists, i have problems in fitting
myself into the unions. On the other hand, those
PhD students who deal with pure sciences get lost
when it comes to working at the university.”
The common factor – power of networking
Summing up the panel, we concluded that despite
the differences, there are issues crucial to PhD students
from all of the countries. Everywhere, the promoter and
his or her network of research contacts have a decisive
influence on the student’s career path. All of us have
to tackle the problem of financing research. Every one
of us realizes the necessity of developing international
contacts. That is why, as a result of our panel, an internet-based
group was formed to allow us to share our
miscellaneous experiences despite the long distances
keeping us apart.
From left to right: Anna
Linka, Roger, Chetan, Yan
Yan, Sayantan
Photo: Anna Linka’s
archives
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