Ck's Blog in Chinese

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Saturday, November 1, 2008

ck's research

I have been here for so long, sharing experiences on fun, travel, etc. Now is the time for me to share some academic life at Glasgow University.

I’m doing MRES (MASTER OF RESEARCH) here, specifically designed for students who wish to pursue doctoral program in the future. This is a combine taught and research programme. Whereby research projects accounts for 80% of the study. Taught courses such as: advance plant molecular and plant biotechnology. Other types of master degree are MPHIL, MSC, and so on. As British Research Council required researchers to attend at least 10 hours of training, so
sometimes we have to involve in a number of seminars, talks and so on, and transferable skills trainings.

I carry out research on crop improvement here, mainly through genetic modification; so my research interests focus in the areas like agriculture and plants science. Actually, crop improvement is a broad area of research. Anyway, I carry out a novel study here, and is a funded project (about 3 years 230,000 pounds.) (However, this provision has nothing to do with me).

In this study, I will need to apply knowledges and skills such as: genetic, molecular biological, physiology, plant cell and tissue cultivation, bio-informatics and so on.

Since this study involve a lot of P&C matters, so I just briefly describe this research. In agricultural practice, farmers have been aware that the application of special "treated” seeds can have better production and growth rates in the future. Treatments applied are such as addition of chemicals, or provide some pressures - (high concentration of salt, drought exposure and so on.) to these seeds.

These exposures will stimulate them, and plants are able to withstand these challenges when they encounter any stresses in the future (high temperature, cold, drought, viruses, etc), to the calm in the face. This response similar to the human body defence system. I.e. memory B cells, upon exposure to virus/bacterial invasions in the first time, they will response better in the future, able to recognise quicker, etc.

I will observe and identify what factors make plants have such memory, specifically study on their gene and molecular levels. In the future, we could apply knowledge obtained (if discover something) which enables plants to have this capability possibly by GM, so important crops can resist to severe environmental challenges. Anyway, another university, have begun a similar study. For more info, can click on the following Web site:


Meanwhile, I also had a conversation with my supervisor, regarding my intention to purse doctorate degree in the future, as well as the availability of research funds for foreign students like me. Anyway, my supervisor told me the fact that in the UK, there are a lot of funds, but most of them are allocated to local students. Even if the fund is awarded to international students, such as living stipends (about 1300-1600GBP) and tuition subsidies, we still have to settle the international student tuition fees (Note: International students tuition fees are 4 times of local students’ rate!). As a result, I have to deal with the remaining 70% of the tuition fees. That’s why a lot of excellent international students were “forced” to leave the UK and study elsewhere. This is one of the reasons cause my supervisor so "DU LAN", and frustrated with it.

Although some research councils also provide scholarships to cover tuition fees for the remaining 70%, but there are very competitive, and mostly funds are awarded to people carry out research/studies of their interest. At present, Europe and the United Kingdom are not encountered with food crisis, agricultural problems.

They concerned about studies on epidemiology, infection diseases, and so on or other issues that have great impacts to them. E.g. diseases for “developed and rich countries ”(like cancer, diabetes,) study. So, I think this is a reason that the University of Glasgow, has about 100 bio-medical graduates, almost 70% from India this year; and I’m the only plant science graduate student, ha ha, really a strange & unique species. However, I believe this area also crucial as well, due to effects of global warming, food crisis face by many developing and underdeveloped countries. It’s never been too late to plan ahead and find out the solutions, as these problems eventually will affect everyone in the world.

Undeniable, this society is very “realistic”, and frankly say I quite bother and worry about this. Anyway, since ck is a “tough” person and will never bow to reality! I believe that every challenge has its solution, and we should think in a positive way. Provided we have commitment, passion and prolong interest, and determination. Then, we can handle it well. Furthermore, supports from relatives, friends, and family, I am confident to overcome it.

Finally, I would not regret to carry out plant and agricultural studies. Also, decline the offers from other universities to do doctorate research. :-)

By the way, the following photo is my graduate school and location of research lab - (BOWER BUILDING), was established in 1901 Unfortunately, fire occured in it's 100th anniversary, and left only the walls, the loss of millions of pounds. Besides, literatures before the 19th centuryalso burned, and it took 3 years for the plant science research group to recover.

click the link below for pictures/facilities of my research lab, :-

http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/plantscience/researchinterests/academicstaff/mikeblatt/researchandteachinglinks/labtour/


I checked from the BBC site, about news happened in 2001. If you guys are interested, can visit the following websites:-

** University fire: picture gallery **
News Online user Ewan Crawford captures the events as firefghters tackle a huge blaze at Glasgow University.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/1618521.stm >

** Firework link to university blaze **
Firefighters investigate whether a stray firework caused a multi-million pound blaze in a University of Glasgow building.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/1619176.stm >

5 comments:

sUsAn said...

I will support you..hehe. Research in plant science was needed in MAlaysia..MAlaysia will mainly focus on agriculture..From your blog, do you mean though we got the scholarship from the uni but part of tution fees still need to settle by ourself? I know you success in your research..I also want gambateh in my research..haha..I deal with soft coral (Sarcophyton which is marine organism) snelly and sticky for antimicrobial activities...Hopefully i can success also..Still in investigation..Lot of things have to learn in postgraduate studies..Not easy rite?? I quite stressful as well but the current master students said relax first. Still got time..I jus quite worry about it..haha..If I got my result of research, i will let you guys to have a look. I forgot to take the soft coral picture..hiak hiak. too bad..NExt time.. ok?? Oklah. Talk with you next time..Good luck in your research..Hope you are the future plant scientist..Solve agriculture problem..I do agree there was food crisis problem in the future..

cklim said...

thanks for your comment and encouragement, i believe your are pursuing a great study, keep it work, gambate. research work is challenging, but positive thinking and passion will move you forward, so relax but yet keep motivated, no matter what you success or fail in a study. there're other ways for international student entitle for home fee, anyway i will clarify first, and i look forwatd to seeing your post soon..gambate

sUsAn said...

hihi..Jus curious and want ask you about the tution fees (Doctorate) over there. IS it around 12580 pounds for PHD? Coz i plan to further there in the future after master here.. I like wheather over there..U apply for ur master that time is it u applied for admission 1st then followed by application of scholarship or both applied together? IS a full scholarship? How you find a supervisor there?hehe.. Too many questions...Hope u can briefly explain to me..thanks oh..:P

cklim said...

that's fine, ur ques not many, but too common, and i believe you can find out from british council if you wish, and there's a coming education fair in klcc, if i not mistaken. it's depends on individual institution, no matter in tuition fee, funding, admission, and it's hard for me to share all in my post, i.e. fellwoship offered, even i mentioned most scholarship offer in home rate, but there're a number of these are awarded in full rate basis, which mean cover international fee too, about identifying supervisor, the same way u apply for ur fyp in bachelor degree as well as master..wat i would like to comment is, things keep on changing, wat i said now, doesn't applicable in the future,e.g. recent imigration rules by UK home office, stricten then application of student visa, if u're keen to pursue doctorate in the uk nxt time, find out from the british council or individual institution first, then any specific ques, can drop me an email then..cheers.

sUsAn said...

Thanks for explained to me..Thanks alot..hehe..ya. This sat, klcc got fair..plan to go.. see how first..

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