Studying for

a PhD in Ireland
Miranda Hough
Education Consultant - Indonesia
Education in Ireland

Dr Andrew Flaus
Vice Dean for Internationalisation
College of Science and Engineering
National University of Ireland Galway
Sepenggal Kisah Indah dari Irlandia
Dr Andrew Flaus
๏ Ireland in 2 slides Vice Dean for
Internationalisation
๏ COVID-19 update College of Science
and Engineering
๏ Finding a PhD supervisor National University
of Ireland Galway

๏ Research opportunities
Miranda Hough
๏ NUI Galway in profile Education
Consultant
๏ Tomorrow: Student Indonesia

experiences in Ireland Education in

Ireland
Ireland in 2 slides

www.instagram.com/andrewflaus/
Education in Ireland
7 Universities
๏ Dublin City University
๏ Maynooth University
๏ National University of
Ireland Galway
๏ Trinity College Dublin
๏ University College Cork
๏ University College Dublin
๏ University of Limerick
 www.iua.ie/for-students/international-students/
www.educationinireland.com/en/Studying-and-COVID-19/
COVID emergency in Ireland
๏ February - March
‣ Containment efforts
๏ March 12th
‣ Government closes universities
๏ March 27th: Lockdown
‣ Stay within 2 km of home
‣ Social distancing
๏ Current situation
‣ ~45 cases/day (total 26,000)
‣ Age profile moving younger
https://www.iua.ie/for-students/international-students/
https://www.educationinireland.com/en/Studying-and-COVID-19/
COVID restart in Ireland
๏ Phase 1 (May 18)
‣ Move 5 km, some outdoor shops
๏ Phase 2 (June 8)
‣ Move 20 km, many shops open
๏ Phase 3 (June 28)
‣ Face coverings
‣ Social distancing (2 metres)
‣ Green list: ‘Safe travel’ countries (EU)
๏ Phase 4 (end of August?)
‣ Schools and universities can open
https://www.iua.ie/for-students/international-students/
https://www.educationinireland.com/en/Studying-and-COVID-19/
 Effect of COVID on university
Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan
normal

research

semester 2 semester 1 sem 2

Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan

research limited research full research?
COVID

semester 2 online semester 1 sem2

Finding a PhD supervisor
Dua dokumen yang indah

Text
A PhD is an …
apprenticeship
pemagangan
What is a PhD for?
๏ Develop a deep knowledge of
past and current knowledge
๏ Identify new questions for
advancing understanding
๏ Carry out research techniques
alone and in collaborations
๏ Interpret and explain new
understanding is generated
Publishable research
Penelitian yang dapat diterbitkan
 Steps to complete a PhD
Find a supervisor
1
Agree a project

Undertake research
2 (publish, present)

Write thesis
3
Pass oral viva examination

Supportive research environment

What can I expect from a supervisor?
๏ Academic guidance
‣ Is an expert in the research field
‣ Interested to work with you on
your research question
๏ Research facilities
‣ Has equipment, space and
resources to host you
๏ Personal mentoring
‣ Has time and enthusiasm to
discuss with and mentor you
How do I find a supervisor?
1. Think about your goals
2. Search for supervisor
3. Identify your possible list
‣ Prioritise

4. Write to possible supervisors

‣ Cover letter and CV

5. Together with supervisor

‣ Decide project
‣ Find funding
How do I find a supervisor?
1. Think about your goals
2. Search for supervisor
‣ “Find a Researcher” tools
‣ Personal and Centre web pages
describing research profiles
‣ Publication databases

3. Identify your possible list

4. Write to possible supervisors
5. Decide project and find
funding with supervisor
Tips for identifying a supervisor
๏ Must be faculty member
‣ Confirm academic status
๏ Publications reveal expertise
‣ More publications = More …
expertise? resources? busy?
๏ Make a unique personal
approach
‣ Ask for suggestions if response is
negative
 Approaching
a supervisor:
Creating the
right impression
Cover letter
Tips: Writing a cover letter
1. Introduce yourself
‣ Name, qualifications, current role
• 1-2 sentences
‣ Looking for a PhD supervisor
• 1 sentence
‣ Available funding, what it covers
• Stipend, tuition fees, research costs
• 2 sentences

2. Research interests & goals

3. Conclusion
Tips: Writing a cover letter
2. Research interests & goals
• Total of 3-5 sentences
‣ Show overlap with broad interests
of potential supervisor
• Illustrate using your studies and work
‣ Be clear and explicit about your
own interests
• Describe general area in a few words
• Show your focus and motivation
‣ Avoid being too prescriptive
• Don’t propose exact question
• Supervisor may not be interested
Tips: Writing your cover letter
1. Introduce yourself
2. Research interests & goals
3. Conclusion
‣ Summarise your pitch
• 1 sentence
‣ State what you want your
potential supervisor to do next
• 1 sentence
 Approaching
a supervisor
Creating the
right impression
Activity task
Task: Practice your contact email
๏ Draft an email for contacting a potential PhD supervisor
‣ Name, qualifications, current role 1-2 sentences
‣ State that you are looking for a PhD supervisor 1 sentence
‣ Explain your available funding 2 sentences
‣ Explain your research interests, motivations, and long-term career
goals 3-5 sentences
‣ Conclusion and what to do next 1-2 sentences
๏ Write in English
‣ Include Indonesian translation if you are more confident with this
๏ Discuss and share ideas with your colleagues
‣ You have 20 minutes to write your draft email
 Approaching
a supervisor
Creating the
right impression
Formal CV
Tips: Formatting a CV
๏ Two pages
1. Personal details
2. Academic qualifications
3. Employment history
4. Research experience
5. Publications, research
presentations and awards
6. Two academic referees
Tips: Formatting a CV
1. Personal details
‣ Name (underline surname)
‣ Nationality
‣ Date of birth
‣ Postal address
‣ Email address

2. Academic qualifications
‣ Official name of each degree
or diploma
‣ Awarding university
‣ Start and end month of study
Tips: Formatting a CV
3. Employment history
‣ Title of each post with start
and end month/year
4. Research experience
‣ Title of project
‣ Start and end month/year
‣ Supervisor name
‣ Include 1 sentence description
Tips: Formatting a CV
5. Publications,
presentations and
awards
‣ Give journal impact factor if
indexed
‣ State if a poster/presentation
won a prize
‣ List academic prizes awarded
6. Two academic referees
‣ Name, title, academic role,
and their email address
 Steps to complete a PhD
Find a supervisor
1
Agree a project

Undertake research
2 (publish, present)

Write thesis
3
Pass oral viva examination

Supportive research environment

2. Undertaking research
What it’s like to do a PhD …
‣ It is a complex project,
it is not a degree
‣ Be aware of how you
are spending your time
‣ It can be hard and lonely,
but there are people to help
‣ It is a PhD learning process so
don’t over-think the problems
‣ Have a plan for your life
after your PhD studies

Adapted from www.itsnotyouitsyourdata.com/the-early-years/10-things-phd-students-wish-they-had-known-before-they-started/

Irish PhDs are “structured”
๏ Irish PhDs are “structured”
1. Research Plan
‣ Clear research focus
‣ Coherent programme of research

2. Skills Development Plan

‣ Research skills and awareness
‣ Ethics and social understanding
‣ Personal effectiveness
‣ Team working and leadership
‣ Career management
‣ Entrepreneurship and innovation
www.tcd.ie/teaching-learning/quality/assets/pdf/IUA-Graduate-Skills-Statement-Brochure-2015-edition2%20(1).pdf
All PhDs have annual appraisals
๏ Doctoral Studies Panel
• Graduate Review Committee
‣ ~3 members of your department
• Not your supervisor
‣ Meets each year to discuss
• Your research
• Your professional development
• Your progress in achieving goals

๏ Panel is a formal step

‣ Review of your research
‣ Review your skills development
 Steps to complete a PhD
Find a supervisor
1
Agree a project

Undertake research
2 (publish, present)

Write thesis
3
Pass oral viva examination

Supportive research environment

Writing your PhD thesis
๏ Usually takes 3-4 months
๏ Tips for the writing process
1. Write an outline
and create a plan of action
2. Catalogue your data
and assemble your figures
3. Take scheduled breaks
and avoid distractions
4. Review progress and get
feedback from your supervisor
Oral “viva” examination
๏ A test to prove you wrote
your own PhD thesis
‣ “Open book” exam with your book
‣ Normally lasts 2-3 hours
๏ The examiners want you to
‣ Tell the story of your work
‣ Justify your decisions and ideas
๏ There may be corrections
‣ Improve final public version

Adapted from www.itsnotyouitsyourdata.com/the-final-years/top-10-viva-hints-things-to-consider-when-preparing-for-your-phd-exam/

Graduation is a very happy day!
Summary
๏ Earning a PhD requires
contributing to knowledge
‣ Define a novel research question
‣ Collect evidence to test the
research hypothesis
‣ Report the research findings
๏ Steps to complete a PhD
1. Find supervisor and project
2. Undertake research
3. Write PhD thesis and pass oral
viva examination
Research opportunities
in Ireland
Education in Ireland
7 Universities
๏ Dublin City University
๏ Maynooth University
๏ National University of
Ireland Galway
๏ Trinity College Dublin
๏ University College Cork
๏ University College Dublin
๏ University of Limerick
Ireland as an education destination

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zY8X6crTUs
Personal safety and freedoms
๏ Ireland is very friendly and
welcoming
๏ Internationally respected
‣ Voted onto UN Security Council
๏ Ranks high in world for
Eid al Adha 2020
personal freedoms at Irish national sport stadium
‣ Religious tolerance
‣ Gender equality
‣ Universities of Sanctuary
‣ Prayer facilities at all universities
https://www.thesun.ie/sport/gaa-football/5726970/muslim-croke-park-eid-ceremony/
https://ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/universities-and-colleges-of-sanctuary
Ireland’s strengths in education
๏ Coordinated universities
๏ High educational standards
46%
‣ Most young people at university Ireland

๏ Well-located in Europe 43%

United
Kingdom
37%
Netherlands

๏ Small, friendly, welcoming 40% 29%

31%
Avg EU 28
Belgium
Germany

‣ Many international students

35%
France

19%
Italy

IN 2017-18
THERE WERE

16,701
FULL-TIME NON-IRISH
STUDENTS LIVING
IN IRELAND
Ireland’s international students

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zY8X6crTUs
Modern research facilities in Ireland
๏ €1.2 billion investment
in university research
infrastructure since 2000
‣ Buildings
‣ Equipment
‣ IT infrastructure
‣ Support staff

๏ World class facilities now

available for research
www.sfi.ie/research-news/publications/annual-reports/
Ireland’s research strengths
๏ Host to some of world’s
leading multinationals
‣ 9 of top 10 global ICT
‣ 8 of top 10 gaming
‣ 9 of top 10 pharmaceutical
‣ 15 of top 20 medical device
‣ 50% of leading financial services
๏ Long tradition in arts, social
sciences and education
‣ 4 Nobel prizes for Literature
STEM research opportunities
๏ Science Foundation Ireland
‣ €181 million annual funding
๏ SFI Research Centres
‣ VistaMilk: agri-food
‣ FutureNeuro: neurological disease
‣ I-Form: 3D manufacturing
‣ Confirm: smart manufacturing
‣ Beacon: renewable biological resources
‣ Lero: software
‣ Connect: internet of things
‣ APC: microbiomics
‣ SSPC: pharmaceutical processes
‣ MaREI: marine and renewable energy
‣ IPIC: photonics
‣ Insight: data analytics
‣ iCRAG: geoscience
‣ Curam: biomedical devices
‣ AMBER: biomaterials
www.sfi.ie/sfi-research-centres/
‣ ADAPT: digital content
SFI Centres for Research Training
๏ Centres for Research Training
‣ €20 million annual funding
‣ 700 PhDs over 5 years
๏ Focus areas
‣ Machine learning
‣ Data science
‣ Artificial intelligence
‣ Digitally enhanced reality
‣ Genomic data science
‣ Advanced networks for society
www.sfi.ie/funding/centres-research-training
Societal research examples
๏ Irish Research Council
‣ €34 million annual funding
‣ 1500 researchers funded
๏ Societal, cultural or
economic challenges
‣ Interdisciplinary research
‣ Emphasis on arts, humanities
and social sciences
‣ Early stage researchers

research.ie
Scholarship opportunities in Ireland
๏ Awards to student
‣ Irish Research Council (GoI)
‣ SFI Centres for Research Training
‣ Host university scholarships
๏ Awards to project
‣ EU researcher training
• see Euraxess
‣ Supervisor projects with PhD posts
• eg SFI centres, SFI, IRC, EU, industry

๏ Decide project and find

funding with supervisor
National University of Ireland
Galway
Why NUI Galway?
1. High quality university
• Top 300 ranking
• Research intensive
• Wide range of courses

2. Welcoming, safe environment

• Small and accessible city
• Popular with international students

3. Unique cultural experience

• Heart of Irish culture
• Beautiful natural environment
About NUI Galway
• Established in 1845
• 18,000 students
• 3,000 international from 110 countries

• Four Colleges
• College of Arts, Social Sciences, and
Celtic Studies
• College of Business, Public Policy and
Law
• College of Science and Engineering
• College of Medicine, Nursing and
Health Sciences
 NUI GALWAY RANKINGS

• Top 1% of universities worldwide

• Top 250 university in QS rankings
• Top200 most international
universities worldwide
• Sunday Times Irish University of
Year 2018
 ABOUT GALWAY

• 4thlargest city in Ireland with

80,000 people

• Knownfor its welcoming

atmosphere and cultural festivals

• European Capital of Culture 2020

• Local
hi-tech industry and major
biomedical devices hub
 GALWAY FROM THE AIR
Town NUI Galway
centre campus
15 min walk or 5 min cycle
NUI GALWAY FACILITIES

Engineering Arts Millennium

Biomedical Science Human Biology

 NUI GALWAY STAFF

• Global staff
• 35% of lecturers and professors
from overseas, from 58 countries

• Researchers amongst most

highly cited scientists in world
• Prof Colm O’Dowd: Climate Change
• Prof Henry Curran: Chemistry
• Prof Donal O’Regan: Mathematics
• Dr Ronan Sulpice: Plant Science
INDONESIAN PHD STUDENTS
Recent PhD students at NUI Galway

Nurul Kodriati (UGM)

• Health Promotion (LPDP)
Febrimarsa (IPB)
• Biochemistry (NUI Galway fellowship)
Yeni Rosdianti (UI)
• Law (LPDP)
Tubagus Gunawan (UI)
• Engineering (EU project fellowship)
Andi Elon (UI)
• Engineering (SFI project fellowship) ppi-irlandia.org/blog/
MAJOR RESEARCH THEMES

www.nuigalway.ie/courses/order-a-prospectus/
 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE &
ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Over 200 academic staff

€25 million annual research income

400 postgraduate research students

 Ryan Institute

Energy & Climate

Marine & Coastal
Change
Sustainability & Innovation
Agriculture Environment
& BioEconomy & Health

www.ryaninstitute.ie @RyanInstitute
RYAN INSTITUTE AT NUI GALWAY
• Research themes
• Marine & Coastal
• Energy & Climate Change
• Agriculture & BioEconomy
• Environment & Health
• 12 Centres and clusters
• 90 Principal Investigators
• 550 funded research projects
• Aligned with 19 MSc programs
www.nuigalway.ie/ryaninstitute/
 CÚRAM: BIOMEDICAL DEVICES
• SFI Research Centre
• Biomaterials
• Drug Delivery
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Device Design
• Glycoscience

• Over 200 researchers

• €50 million government and
industry funding
www.curamdevices.ie
Why NUI Galway?
1. High quality university
• Top 300 ranking
• Research intensive
• Wide range of courses

2. Welcoming, safe environment

• Small and accessible city
• Popular with international students

3. Unique cultural experience

• Heart of Irish culture
• Beautiful natural environment
We hope to see
you in Ireland
soon!
NUI Galway overview video - youtu.be/xsamBVZc5Lo