Last week, one of our students, whom we supervised for her PhD at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), defended her final thesis, leading to the award of a doctoral degree. She graduated with minor amendments.
In addition, throughout the period I supervised her for the PhD, she demonstrated consistency and a willingness to improve daily. Her research topic was “Device-Level Authentication Protocol for Multi-Factor Verification System.”
Furthermore, during the defence, the external examiner did an excellent job, demonstrating a thorough review of the entire thesis.
I intend to share some random thoughts with potential or current PhD students on skill development before, during, and after earning their #PhD. Here are 11 skill tips:
1) Critical thinking and analysis:
Critical thinking before, during, and after your research is essential. Develop the ability to critically evaluate areas of research, identify gaps, and design studies to address them. It is stated that the PhD. journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Pursuing a PhD. can be a challenging journey, and it is common to experience moments of regret about enrolling in the program. Stay committed, and continue. Critical thinking is also key in academia, government, and industry, helping you stay ahead.
2) Literature review:
Master the art of conducting comprehensive literature reviews, synthesising findings, and identifying areas for further research. Prioritise areas that are essential in the contemporary era of Industry 4.0 and beyond.
3) Methodology and experimental design:
Develop expertise in designing and conducting experiments, surveys, or other research methods relevant to your field. Remember that methodology is the intellectual bridge between the problem and the solution.
4) Academic writing and publishing:
Develop the ability to write clear, concise, and well-structured research papers and navigate the publication process. Also, try to attend relevant conferences and workshops.
5) Challenge yourself to be up-to-date with industry trends:
Engage with industry professionals, read relevant publications, and participate in relevant fora to stay current with the latest developments in your area of research.
6) Programming languages:
Learn programming languages relevant to your field, such as Python, Java, or MATLAB, among others.
7) Communicate effectively with your supervisors and build a network:
Regularly meet with your supervisor(s) to discuss progress and address concerns. It is essential to continually improve your skills of communication and interaction with your supervisors, both academically and socially. Additionally, surround yourself with mentors who can offer valuable guidance, encouragement, and support.
8) Data visualisation and communication:
Develop skills in data visualisation tools like Tableau, Power BI, or D3. Also, master how to use statistical software packages like SPSS, SAS, or Stata if they are relevant to your research.
9) Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI):
Familiarise yourself with machine learning and AI concepts and learn to apply them to your research. They are critical in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. However, don’t allow them to make you lazy, please. Also, familiarise yourself with version control systems.
10) Time management and organisation:
Develop skills to prioritise tasks, manage time, and maintain organisation. Also, use a scale of preference when you have multiple activities to complete. Always remember that time is key and critical.
11) Finally, the PhD is not just a mere degree.
It should demonstrate your ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and contribute meaningfully to your field and to humanity. Make sure that, even without the PhD certificate, the process makes you a better person who can think out of the box and navigate the challenges of life and attain success in the world of the impossible.
* Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) is a former Nigerian Minister of Digital Economy