What you can do with your doctorate degree?
In Malaysia, I saw two kinds of situations.
(1) Those who aren't yet bound to any institution.
(2) Those who has established a permanent position in an institution. For example: Government servant.
Meanwhile, there are three avenues for PhD holder to go:
(1) Academia
(2) Industry/ commercial
(3) Research
(3) Research
Situation (1) - less secured with freedom
I am in situation (1) in which I wasn't bound to any institution while pursuing my higher degree. There are pros and cons when you choose this pathway. If you like security (you have a secured job once you finish PhD), I advise you that this road is quite risky. It's not the road not to be taken, I'd just say it has its risk. But, in my case, this is a rather desired situation because of my other half. So, all and all, everything is according to plan for us. Despite of that, I still have some worry as to how I would end up when I come back for good later. I would love to be in academia, teaching our younger generation, but all the stories I heard at the moment are not a good ones. I hope by the time I come home, situation will be better.
When I further my masters study, there were a few from my batch (all are Chinese and among the top students) also doing their higher degree. Most of them skip the masters degree and went straight for PhD. I heard that their target is not to be in academia, instead, they'd like to work in industry. No doubt, working in the industry will pay them better.
Lastly, PhD holders can always opt to be a post-doctorate researcher. This position is not popular in Malaysia as in Japan or other developed countries. Take Japan for example, they have several research institute which required researchers to run it. I will explain about the options they have here in the later entries. In Malaysia, the position is now limited only in research universities and is still offered in a very limited numbers. Despite of that, I think it is a good start. Some said that those who opted for post-doc researcher are those who are still figuring out what to do with their doctorate degree. In my observation however, post-doctorate degree is pursued by someone who is very passionate about their work and need some more time to work on it full time without the need to teach or doing any administrative work (that usually the case for those who choose to be in academia). In the case like myself, it is the best job I could ask for in this foreign country with language barrier because it could be contract basis (as I'm not going to live here forever) and at the same time I could upgrade my CV with exquisite pay.
No matter where you decided to be, all avenues required you to do research. When I finish my Masters degree, my brain was so tired dealing with research and I doubt myself if I could do it some more. Now, research has been my strength and my favorite. In Malay proverb this situation is exactly like the "alah bisa tegal biasa". Now, my mind has transformed in a way I could never imagined I could be. This is only after 3 years of PhD course. I think I'll be a lot more wiser if the training continues.
Situation (2) - Much more secured with delayed freedom
I consider situation (2) is a more popular choice among Malaysians that I know. One way to it is for you to get yourself a scholarship with bond with any higher institution, for example University of Malaya, National University of Malaysia, etc. As far as I concern, they have their yearly intake and the number of opening for each faculty may differ each year. The scholarship is called SLAB (Skim Latihan Academic Bumiputera) for Bumis or SLAI (Skim Latin Academic for IPTA) for the non-Bumis. Different universities named the scheme differently, e.g. 'Skim Tenaga Pengajar Muda' for UITM. For those who succeeded to get the scholarship, you will be required to finish your study in the time given and come back as soon as you received your scroll. You will be placed immediately in the faculty that accepted you and tadaaa...now you are a permanent staff. The good thing about this pathway are its security and the benefits that comes along with it, especially if you already have family. From my limited knowledge (as I'm not one of the lucky holder), the scheme will pay for you and your family sustenance, accommodation, flight tickets, other allowances (e.g. the cost of movers on your final day abroad-if you are paid to study abroad), etc.
However, the story has changed for the much older university now. From the university I came from, the PhD holders that came from the scheme are now either (i) become the permanent staff, or (ii) given a contract basis position for 2 years for them to reach some requirements before permanent appointment, or (iii) released from contract. I'm not sure now, but a few years ago, many of my friends who managed to finish their study were released from contract because there were simply no positions available at that time. It depends on the individual on how they would see this situation. They can be happy for the released and just go to other institution or they can be sad for everything is not according to plan. Of course these people already set their heart for academia, and most will find their place in other higher institutions.
Another way that is popular among Malaysians is by embarking higher degree when you already have an established position in the government. This is when you can utilize the benefit of 'cuti belajar'. I know a few friends who chose this pathway. They usually go into the government as soon as they finish their first degree. Application is usually made through SPA. Then after a few years, when they have established their position, they will ask for 'cuti belajar'. They can ask for scholarship for the education fees and at the same time still receiving their basic salary. Cool huh?! I think this way is more popular in older days when people usually pursued their higher degree at a more matured age. For government servants, higher degree could potentially contribute to the rise in salary or position. Another plus point if you decided to choose this pathway.
I consider situation (2) is a more popular choice among Malaysians that I know. One way to it is for you to get yourself a scholarship with bond with any higher institution, for example University of Malaya, National University of Malaysia, etc. As far as I concern, they have their yearly intake and the number of opening for each faculty may differ each year. The scholarship is called SLAB (Skim Latihan Academic Bumiputera) for Bumis or SLAI (Skim Latin Academic for IPTA) for the non-Bumis. Different universities named the scheme differently, e.g. 'Skim Tenaga Pengajar Muda' for UITM. For those who succeeded to get the scholarship, you will be required to finish your study in the time given and come back as soon as you received your scroll. You will be placed immediately in the faculty that accepted you and tadaaa...now you are a permanent staff. The good thing about this pathway are its security and the benefits that comes along with it, especially if you already have family. From my limited knowledge (as I'm not one of the lucky holder), the scheme will pay for you and your family sustenance, accommodation, flight tickets, other allowances (e.g. the cost of movers on your final day abroad-if you are paid to study abroad), etc.
However, the story has changed for the much older university now. From the university I came from, the PhD holders that came from the scheme are now either (i) become the permanent staff, or (ii) given a contract basis position for 2 years for them to reach some requirements before permanent appointment, or (iii) released from contract. I'm not sure now, but a few years ago, many of my friends who managed to finish their study were released from contract because there were simply no positions available at that time. It depends on the individual on how they would see this situation. They can be happy for the released and just go to other institution or they can be sad for everything is not according to plan. Of course these people already set their heart for academia, and most will find their place in other higher institutions.
Another way that is popular among Malaysians is by embarking higher degree when you already have an established position in the government. This is when you can utilize the benefit of 'cuti belajar'. I know a few friends who chose this pathway. They usually go into the government as soon as they finish their first degree. Application is usually made through SPA. Then after a few years, when they have established their position, they will ask for 'cuti belajar'. They can ask for scholarship for the education fees and at the same time still receiving their basic salary. Cool huh?! I think this way is more popular in older days when people usually pursued their higher degree at a more matured age. For government servants, higher degree could potentially contribute to the rise in salary or position. Another plus point if you decided to choose this pathway.
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