it was on Monday, 18th September, where the 3 of us met together and discussed further about my proposal. There are several issues raised by the SVs, and the most important question thrown was: 'What do you want to do actually?'. And that question received quite detailed answer from me. But after that, they suggested that I should have focus, and not trying to do lots of things within a limited time.
They also wanted me to do lots of readings. Ok, a month is given. Then i must see them again with something.
This week, this is what I have been doing:
1. searched related journal articles as many as possible
2. borrowed 10 books from the library - they are mainly on research methodology, case studies, theoretical frameworks, genre, EAP, ESP.
3. bought a new set of PC and printer (that I'm using now), external HD, A4 papers and other stationery.
4. contacted 3 lecturers from FKMP and asked about their conduct of PSM. had discussions with them which I would then inform my SVs of the outcomes.
5. will be seeing the faculty PSM coordinator to discuss further about my project (set on Thursday, 22/9, 2.30p.m)
6. will report to my SVs of the discussion outcomes withe the coordinator.
7. will continue reading and reading and reading....
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
on Plagiarism
Of course, this is a very important issue for any academician (in this context). so, this topic was firstly emphasised by AP Dr Bambang of FP, in his seminar (Wed, 14/9) regarding plagiarism and the implications of it. not many attended the seminar, i counted about less than 20. he told that plagiarism can be in several forms, such as, word-by-word, ideas, authorship, secondary sources, thesaurus (inappropriate paraphrasing), images & other media, as well as self-plagiarism. I was attracted to the last type, 'self-plagiarism', which means that a writer uses his own writing which has been published previously in his current writing without acknowledging the source (i.e. he as the writer). So if i have published somewhere and I want to mention that in my current paper, i've got to write '(Ahmad, 2011), in her research....' to prevent 'self-plagiarism'.
UTM bought the license of plagiarism detection software called 'turnitin', which can be found at www.turnitin.com for staff & students use. It is the regulation of SPS that 20% is the maximum index of plagiarism of any paper or assignment or thesis submitted for evaluation purpose. While for FP, only 10% maximum is allowed.
I've yet to request for the ID & pin for this software from the administrator. But I had the chance to see how it works when Dr Bambang showed some samples of his students' papers. The software intelligently identifies & compares what we write with the original, together with the exact location of the source where we cut & paste it from, and then calculates the index. Isn't it smart?
UTM bought the license of plagiarism detection software called 'turnitin', which can be found at www.turnitin.com for staff & students use. It is the regulation of SPS that 20% is the maximum index of plagiarism of any paper or assignment or thesis submitted for evaluation purpose. While for FP, only 10% maximum is allowed.
I've yet to request for the ID & pin for this software from the administrator. But I had the chance to see how it works when Dr Bambang showed some samples of his students' papers. The software intelligently identifies & compares what we write with the original, together with the exact location of the source where we cut & paste it from, and then calculates the index. Isn't it smart?
Monday, September 12, 2011
1st meeting
the 1st meeting with 2nd SV yesterday was quite fruitful. she suggested some books about qualitative research, writing strategies and genre studies which could be found from the library. and she wanted me to read some journal articles related to that and gave me a month to come out with the synthesis. but there were some errors here and there about my preliminary proposal that she was not happy with, and for that, i will have to wait till Monday 19th September for further explanation. to sum up:
1. i should prepare the proposal (+- 100 pgs) for the presentation & assessment purpose with writing a thesis in mind, and that i must have it assessed after a year (deadline Sept 2012).
2. meet both svs fortnightly and give them something to read prior to that
3. remind me that thesis writing should be done 1 year solid
Later I met 1st sv, and told her the outcome of the meeting with 2nd sv. she agreed to many and need further discussion on some matters.
Ok, i'm off now to search for those mentioned above. May Allah shower me with His love & mercy.
1. i should prepare the proposal (+- 100 pgs) for the presentation & assessment purpose with writing a thesis in mind, and that i must have it assessed after a year (deadline Sept 2012).
2. meet both svs fortnightly and give them something to read prior to that
3. remind me that thesis writing should be done 1 year solid
Later I met 1st sv, and told her the outcome of the meeting with 2nd sv. she agreed to many and need further discussion on some matters.
Ok, i'm off now to search for those mentioned above. May Allah shower me with His love & mercy.
Friday, September 9, 2011
it's official!
Alhamdulillah i'm now officially a student venturing into the highest level of education at one of the RUs in Malaysia. The registration was on Tuesday, 6th September, and there were lots of new postgraduates in the hall for the same purpose. Not only Malaysians but also those from Iran, Libya, Pakistan, (just to name a few) were seen hoovering the place. I'm impressed by the way the university officers on duty handled the quite chaotic situation especially when it involved these international students. The officers could effortlessly explained in English, gave instructions, and above all, were so cool (& patient) though at warm temperature of the hall.
Speech by Dato' VC was so inspiring. I've never seen a VC so comfortable speaking in front of 600+ students as if he was 'talking' to us rather than 'reading' the speech prepared for him. He was fast, dynamic, sometimes funny, but at time assertive. No singing of 'Negaraku' or the university's anthem prior or after the event. He arrived at 10 sharp, and finished his briefing an hour later, walked off quickly and smiled to all of us on his way out of the hall.
Briefings by the head of librarian and IT manager were also conducted in English. I'm again impressed that they could explain it well in that language.
Meeting my supervisor. That afternoon I was called to her office, which is in the same location of Dato' VC's. Again, i'm impressed. Someone waits behind the desk just in front of the room and asked whether I have the appointment. Yes, i replied and she pushed a button and the door automatically opens. That makes me : 'wah, security lock!'
My supervisor is a beautiful lady. We discussed things related to the journey of my study. She would like to see me fortnightly. And she wanted me to read these 2 PhD thesis available in the library. And she wanted me to be proactive and work hard. She is a busy person. With an important role in the university. Because of that, I have a co-supervisor. I don't mind, as long as they supervise my work here, I am already grateful.
I have some fond memories of this university. 11 years ago, I was offered to become a tutor here. But I declined the offer as at the same time I have started working in the place I work now. In 2002, I did my master part-time but quit before the first semester ended, as I got the offer to study in Bristol. But, who knows, Allah the AlMighty knows better, I come back to this place to attain something more.
I also met several familiar faces here. I met Cik Din (from the Bursary), Cik Ram (from the Registrar Office), Dr Mahani (whom I know from Bristol), Aida (my ex-schoolmate in KTAM), and I am yet to find some others like Yanti (ex-primary schoolmate), Nazrinda (librarian), Dr Zairus (I know her from Bristol), Dr Zainudin (also from Bristol), Dr Narina (ditto), Dr Ety (my ex-KTAM friend), Dr Salinda (now FKEE lecturer & my ex-primary schoolmate), Dayah (counsellor, from SMKAS), and probably many many more which I just have not discovered yet.
And most importantly, my family, never ending supports from mom & dad, and little sisters & brother, who live just next to the university where I will find place for lunch, dinner, and love during my stay at this university. My hubby, of course, a loyal soul-partner, even with his limitation has driven me miles and miles and my children though at small age always remind me to take care and say that they love me. These are my inspiration to work hard and to be successful in my new adventure here. I pray that Allah will shower me with His Love and Mercy and that my journey will be a smooth sailing and ends with a success.
Speech by Dato' VC was so inspiring. I've never seen a VC so comfortable speaking in front of 600+ students as if he was 'talking' to us rather than 'reading' the speech prepared for him. He was fast, dynamic, sometimes funny, but at time assertive. No singing of 'Negaraku' or the university's anthem prior or after the event. He arrived at 10 sharp, and finished his briefing an hour later, walked off quickly and smiled to all of us on his way out of the hall.
Briefings by the head of librarian and IT manager were also conducted in English. I'm again impressed that they could explain it well in that language.
Meeting my supervisor. That afternoon I was called to her office, which is in the same location of Dato' VC's. Again, i'm impressed. Someone waits behind the desk just in front of the room and asked whether I have the appointment. Yes, i replied and she pushed a button and the door automatically opens. That makes me : 'wah, security lock!'
My supervisor is a beautiful lady. We discussed things related to the journey of my study. She would like to see me fortnightly. And she wanted me to read these 2 PhD thesis available in the library. And she wanted me to be proactive and work hard. She is a busy person. With an important role in the university. Because of that, I have a co-supervisor. I don't mind, as long as they supervise my work here, I am already grateful.
I have some fond memories of this university. 11 years ago, I was offered to become a tutor here. But I declined the offer as at the same time I have started working in the place I work now. In 2002, I did my master part-time but quit before the first semester ended, as I got the offer to study in Bristol. But, who knows, Allah the AlMighty knows better, I come back to this place to attain something more.
I also met several familiar faces here. I met Cik Din (from the Bursary), Cik Ram (from the Registrar Office), Dr Mahani (whom I know from Bristol), Aida (my ex-schoolmate in KTAM), and I am yet to find some others like Yanti (ex-primary schoolmate), Nazrinda (librarian), Dr Zairus (I know her from Bristol), Dr Zainudin (also from Bristol), Dr Narina (ditto), Dr Ety (my ex-KTAM friend), Dr Salinda (now FKEE lecturer & my ex-primary schoolmate), Dayah (counsellor, from SMKAS), and probably many many more which I just have not discovered yet.
And most importantly, my family, never ending supports from mom & dad, and little sisters & brother, who live just next to the university where I will find place for lunch, dinner, and love during my stay at this university. My hubby, of course, a loyal soul-partner, even with his limitation has driven me miles and miles and my children though at small age always remind me to take care and say that they love me. These are my inspiration to work hard and to be successful in my new adventure here. I pray that Allah will shower me with His Love and Mercy and that my journey will be a smooth sailing and ends with a success.
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