为了给更多海大留学生和校友提供相识相知、交流分享、互学互助的机会，为更多海大留学生们搭建展示自己、锻炼能力的舞台，作为学校2022年“国际文化节”系列活动之一，“学在海大、筑梦深蓝——第三届大连海事大学来华留学生暨校友论坛”于11月25日顺利举行。
活动采取线上线下同步的形式开展，征文入选的10名来华留学生分别进行演讲，他们专业不同，涵盖了公共管理、法学、物流工程与管理、轮机工程、信息与通信工程等多个专业；他们的授课语言不同，有的精通汉语、有的是全英文授课；他们阐述的主题不同，有的分享学习方法、有的讲述留学感受、有的汇报研究进展，但每个讲述者的言语中都描述着来华留学生眼中的美丽海大、传递着对于学在海大的感恩之情和对未来的美好期待。活动还请到留学生杰出校友向广大同学送上美好祝愿，邀请学校相关教授和领导对广大留学生提出勉励和期望，遍布世界各地的海大人，不论肤色、语言、地域和时差，更紧密地连在一起，师生们尽情交流、共话未来。
经征文评审委员会严格评审，论坛对投稿征文从“促进共同发展”、“深化交流互鉴”、“优秀专业论文”三个主题分别授予奖项。同时，获奖作品将被收录到论坛征文集。接下来，我们将陆续展示此次论坛的获奖作品。今天要展示的是“深化交流互鉴”专题一等奖作品：Fully Utilizing Postgraduate Opportunity at Dalian Maritime University，作者：尼日利亚籍轮机工程专业博士研究生LEBILE ILERIOLUWA JOSEPH（乐比）。
Fully Utilizing Postgraduate Opportunity at Dalian Maritime University
Lebile Ilerioluwa Joseph (乐比)
Abstract
A postgraduate degree has always been the route for bachelor's degree holders to advance in their academics. This help students to specialize in a particular field of interest which most time serves as a gateway for career elevation. Nevertheless, some students still fail to fully utilize all the benefits they can obtain during their postgraduate study as their focus is just on passing out with the minimum requirement. This kind of mentality makes such students miss out on some of the benefits postgraduate study can offer apart from the certificate.
Hence this article focuses on these benefits if students fully utilized their postgraduate opportunity at Dalian Maritime University (DMU). Some of the benefits discussed in this article include; critical thinking, networking, personal growth, career advancement, and so on. All these are beneficial for navigating better in difficult environments after graduation. Furthermore, the article also elaborates on vital tools that can help students during their postgraduate study; collaboration, conferences, joining professional bodies, proactiveness, and research trips. These tools develop students toward achieving their full potential during their postgraduate study. This article concluded by advising students not just to focus on just graduating alone but to cease all the opportunities they come across during their studies. This aids in shaping them into better students and better people. Likewise, the school management was also advised to introduce an exchange program for the international student as this both benefits such students and the institution.
Keywords: Postgraduate study, Collaboration, networking, personal advancement.
1.0 Introduction
A postgraduate degree is a type of qualification that is completed after an undergraduate degree. Master's degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, Certificates, and PhDs are just a few of the credentials that fall under the category of postgraduate degrees. All postgraduate degrees allow you to continue your education in a specific field [1].
Postgraduate degrees are been pursued for a variety of reasons, such as entering academia and pursuing a career in research or specialization. However, some students don't make the most of all the advantages that come with postgraduate education. Some students study with the mindset that they only need to do the bare minimum to graduate. This kind of mentality may place them in the same position as they were before pursuing their postgraduate studies. Therefore, this article focuses on the benefit or the impact of postgraduate to students and also how students can fully utilize their postgraduate opportunities at Dalian Maritime University (DMU).
2.0 The Impact of Postgraduate Study
The benefits of postgraduate study at DMU can be different for individuals, but the basic advantages are [2, 3]:
2.1 Enhancing Think Critically and Solve Problems ability
Achieving a postgraduate degree at DMU will help in developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which is one of the most significant advantages. These abilities are crucial in all areas of life, including professional and personal connections.
The postgraduate degree can aid in the development of the ability to analyze a situation or problem more critically, come up with viable solutions, and predict outcomes. It also gives chance to develop communication abilities. It is required to express one's opinions during class discussions and lectures while speaking both orally and in writing. By encouraging students to exchange ideas with one another and come up with potential solutions together, these discussions help students develop their critical thinking abilities. The student will be able to think more critically about the world around them and be better equipped to address difficulties.
2.2 Providing Networking
Studying at DMU will also provide the chance to network with other highly educated people. Students get the chance to network with like-minded individuals and pick the brains of influential individuals across the world as the DMU is open to admitting students across the globe. Students will frequently meet people from different countries that they might not have the chance to meet. The individuals they meet will probably work in comparable sectors and positions, making any connections they create incredibly effective because they will be crucial in the future. Additionally, this opportunity exposes students to a variety of people with a diversity of backgrounds, which may help them to learn and develop during their studies.
Meeting others with comparable experiences and interests may help the student learn new things, share ideas, and advance their career. At DMU, your lecturers may teach a lot as well. They are seasoned experts in their professions and may provide insightful advice that can benefit your career.
2.3 High Adaptation Ability
Most industries are changing at high speed to keep up with the global economy and advancing technology. People may begin to feel left behind when they work longer at the same firms or in the same jobs in terms of technological advancements and industry best practices. The ability to always be updated can be developed during postgraduate study at DMU because postgraduate study requires accessing fresh information and acquiring new skills and knowledge. Also, students will have the ability to be able to cross to another field to re-learn updated concepts. For instance, writing an article or thesis might require using tools or software which is primarily not in your field, so this helps to be able to adopt other skills which are primarily not in your field even at the workplace.
2.4 Promotes Personal Growth
Utilizing postgraduate opportunities fully at DMU will be both enjoyable and rewarding. Students have the chance to challenge themselves in brand-new ways and push themselves further than they ever imagined. They will experience this pressure in graduate school which may be a fantastic chance for them to develop personally and learn more about themselves.
A postgraduate degree at DMU might also assist in gaining new information and abilities. Students can investigate several subjects and specialties that may be of interest to them. Additionally, it can aid in the development of current talents and increase ability in the workforce. The postgraduate program can be precisely what some need to launch their career or take completely other paths. Graduate school forces students to submit work on time, regardless of the circumstances, and forces them to think more swiftly under time constraints. This quality is crucial for any professional's success since it enables them to come up with answers after all other options have been explored.
2.5 Boost Self-confident
Having fully utilized postgraduate opportunities at DMU provides graduates with abilities that others may not possess especially in the workplace. It gives the confidence needed to face new difficulties in professional or personal life as a result. This self-assurance could also be accompanied by a greater sense of freedom and responsibility.
Graduating from a graduate program at DMU often signifies that graduates are prepared to take charge of their future and make decisions on their own, without the direction of specific supervisors who formerly directed their progress. Having the freedom to decide for yourself is one advantage of gaining a postgraduate degree, regardless of whether these options include pursuing more study or learning how to manage new responsibilities in the job. It might feel more at ease voicing one's opinion and providing proof for it with an advanced education level. One can also discover that they are more capable of tackling new challenges and jobs.
2.6 Possibilities for Career Advancement
Possibilities for job progression are one of the most evident advantages of earning a postgraduate degree at DMU. Graduates could qualify for jobs that they wouldn't otherwise be qualified for with a higher degree of schooling. For instance, an English major with a bachelor's degree would often find entry-level employment in an office. However, they could be qualified to teach creative writing or even publish their book if they have a postgraduate degree.
It also demonstrates your commitment to studying, which is another fantastic advantage. It demonstrates that such a person will constantly work to advance their education and improve themselves, no matter what the challenge. When submitting applications for jobs or leadership roles within an organization, a postgraduate degree can also assist create credibility. Graduates of these advanced degrees may also be eligible for better-paying positions that haven't been available in the workforce before. Additionally, it could lead to advancing into better positions or becoming more eligible for promotions.
2.7 Boosting Earning Potential
Getting a postgraduate degree increases your earning potential. Employers can see that you're driven to solve problems, open to challenges, and committed to lifelong learning. Employers will be alerted to the fact that you are capable of more by your collection of transferable skills, additional information, and experience that you will have acquired as a consequence of your studies at DMU. As a result, they will be more ready to consider hiring and keeping you as a valuable addition to their organization. The fact is that organizations are prepared to pay for a greater degree of ability and knowledge, and you may make more money with this form of higher education.
3.0 Tools Towards Achieving Full Potential During Postgraduate Study
Some of the tools that can be used to obtain some of the benefits that have been explained in the previous section are as follows:
3.1 Collaboration
Effective collaboration lays the groundwork for positive interpersonal interactions and can lead to numerous opportunities (also in terms of job opportunities in the future). Successful postgraduate students understand that cooperation is preferable to rivalry. They are aware that everyone has various abilities and that effective cooperation is essential for success. They showcase this skill in successful group projects throughout their studies [4].
Collaboration may take many different forms, such as working together to plan the research a postgraduate student will do for their study or hiring a postgraduate student for a particular project that has some connection to policy but is unrelated to their dissertation. Collaboration requires the significant participation of non-academic users. This also benefits both postgraduate researchers and the individuals and organizations involved. Through collaboration, partners learn about each other's expertise, share knowledge and gain an appreciation of different professional cultures.
Working together and exchanging knowledge may help postgraduate researchers in several ways, such as by developing their awareness of research users and their requirements and by applying evidence-based knowledge to crucial business or policy concerns [5].
3.2 Conferences
An academic conference is a one-day or multi-day event during which researchers present their work to each other. Conferences are a crucial method for academics to remain in touch with others in their area and discover the most recent findings.
One of the most helpful aspects of the path to be excellent in your postgraduate study is by attending academic conferences. Students may connect with others who share their interests and passions at conferences. While many postgraduate students prefer to spend their free time in the lab and library, conferences allow students to meet other researchers working in their area, network and possibly make new friends. New research is the central focus of an academic conference. Academics and postgraduate student frequently present their groundbreaking research in publications and talks. Although the thought of that can be frightening, it's a great chance to network with others in one's industry. If students find themselves spending a lot of time in the lab or library, these conferences are a great opportunity to network and ask colleagues pertinent questions.
By attending a conference, students get the opportunity to network with senior professionals and professors as well as more experienced researchers. Listening to speeches and presentations might introduce fresh perspectives on a certain subject or perhaps inspire them to come up with a novel idea. Additionally, because most post-conference gatherings are informal, students may have the opportunity to engage with the speakers directly, solicit their opinions, and obtain their advice or contact information for further discussions.
Conferences that offer workshop gives practical advice. These are extremely helpful since students can try out fresh ideas and knowledge with their peers in a relaxed setting where they can easily express any questions they might have. Although supervisors are allocated to each student to help, students may occasionally be rather isolated. Academic conferences frequently provide hands-on workshops where students may test out new knowledge in a welcoming setting. Additionally, it will help them to clarify their argument in their mind, especially in terms of maintaining clarity and interest.
Conferences also help researchers to overcome their fear, especially when you are also a speaker in such conferences because presentations can be scary sometimes. Everyone finds standing up and addressing a group intimidating, regardless of their line of work. But facing your concerns is the greatest way to break this pattern. Also fear talking to new people, anxious about presenting ideas or asking questions. Now, this does not necessarily apply to everyone, but many students sometimes feel that way. Conferences provide the perfect setting for overcoming these anxieties. It's critical to remember that everyone is in this place for the same reasons to exchange ideas, stimulate discussion, meet new people and generate new thoughts [6].
3.3 Professional Bodies
There are several advantages to joining a professional organization in graduate school, regardless of the educational program, a student is enrolled in. Graduate school is a period when professional objectives are frequently well-established. Most students have a strong professional emphasis and strive to achieve academic and professional success. Being a member of a professional organization can greatly help with future job searches. In addition, because students frequently qualify for a lower membership cost, dues or fees may not be as pricey as many are concerned.
A variety of educational opportunities are provided by professional organizations. They're excellent for keeping up with industry norms and the most recent developments. These organizations also frequently provide members with webinars, certificates, and a newsletter. They also provide information about upcoming conferences and also means of networking. Students can encounter a mentor or a career lead. In addition, once someone is established in their career, these relationships are frequently helpful for collaboration and resource sharing.
A fantastic place to find information on internships or practicums is professional associations. They also provide students with important practical experience and may result in future employment offers. Additionally, the connections created at professional gatherings have a lot of potential for opening up new opportunities. Not to add, showing companies that students participated in industry organizations is just positive for them.
The hiring process includes looking for leadership experience. Graduate students may find it challenging to locate this. Fortunately, participation in professional organizations offers students the ability to develop their leadership skills. They may offer to serve on a committee, give a presentation at a meeting, or contribute to a magazine that the group sponsors. These are all great ways to gain leadership experience.
Belonging to a professionally-accredited group is a prime source of educational funds. Grants, scholarships, and fellowships are often sponsored by professional organizations. These organizations aim to support the education and involvement of upcoming colleagues. Students who join the organization get access to lists of awards offered by the group as well as other relevant resources.
To establish which group is most pertinent to their long-term professional aspirations, students should consult their professors and conduct some study. To benefit from the advantages offered by these organizations, belonging to one or two should be sufficient. It is obvious that there are many advantages to joining a professional group while in graduate school, as well as many chances they present [7].
3.4 Be Proactive
Being proactive or accepting responsibility for a future route is positively correlated with incredible job success and pleasure, according to research findings in the psychological literature. Through their academic courses, students can build the transferable ability of proactivity. Each graduate student should be accountable for their own grad school experience, especially for expanding their knowledge and potential. This is possible via acquiring practical experiences that can better equip a person for life in the real world. This sort of experience may be acquired through a variety of activities, including employment, internships, volunteer work, and membership in organizations.
It is good to accept responsibility for students' accomplishments. People now utilize sponsorships and contacts to promote their professions. There is nothing wrong with that, but always remember to be independent and never rely on what others can do for you. Students should pay attention to their goals for graduate school and seize every chance to achieve them.
They should consider what they can influence. Refrain from worrying about events and things that they cannot control. Instead, concentrate their efforts on the situations they can influence or improve. Plan for delays and provide backup strategies. Consider potential outcomes and develop a strategy that accounts for contingencies. Make room for modifications to plans. It all comes down to being ready and being one step ahead [8].
3.5 Research Trip
The popularity of research travels to other universities is rising. They range in length and often last between three months and a year. This aids the researcher in learning more about their chosen research approach or field and developing new abilities. Additionally, it encourages networking and the sharing of knowledge, including fresh research ideas, and insights into various methodologies, and it may also help students to fully integrate themself into the visiting school's research community.
Furthermore, it facilitates the development and maintenance of the partnership between the student's current institution and the university they visited. Their research will be advantageous to both universities in terms of fostering collaboration and expanding their networks. Additionally, the study trip may provide both schools with fresh research ideas. The student may be able to serve as a bridge between scholars from the two universities who have similar research interests [9].
4.0 Recommendation
4.1 For Students
The postgraduate student should not only focus on passing out with the minimum graduating requirement but also focus on all the full benefits that they can obtain during their postgraduate study at DMU. There are some countries in which a master’s degree is not enough to secure you a job and with a Ph.D. degree might be earning little as compared to the status of your academic level. Therefore, if students can incorporate all the skills and chances gotten during their postgraduate study, it can give them an upper edge in securing a better opportunity in the future.
4.2 For School Management.
If students can take part in exchange programs with other colleges, especially those outsides of China, it will be a wonderful experience for them. The majority of our supervisors have visited universities outside of China to discover new ideas about our field of specialization. With the assistance of the school and supervisor, ISEC can propose an exchange program with the help of the school and supervisor for some students also to travel to such institutions to learn the new trends in their field from that university. This experience may also be used to promote new ideas in the lab and enhance the framework for doing research. The school administration, ISEC, and supervisors can start planning for this.
10. Conclusion
These are just some of the benefits of getting a postgraduate degree. Higher education is an investment that can pay off in many ways. Remember, a higher level of education can open up new opportunities and help improve your skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. Therefore, make sure to utilize this opportunity fully to achieve all the benefits it offers which consequently boosts your future endeavors.
Lastly, I'd want to express my gratitude to the Chinese government for the scholarship, Dalian Maritime University, the ISEC staff, My supervisor- Prof. Hongpeng Zhang, the college of marine engineering, and all of its workers.
Author’s Information
Author’s Passport Name: Lebile Ilerioluwa Joseph
Chinese Name: 乐比
Gender: Male
Nationality: Nigeria
Major: Marine Engineering (PhD)
Major start time: 2021 September
Research direction: Microfluidic Particle Detection in Lubricating Oil
Email: lebilei7@gmail.com
Lebile Ilerioluwa Joseph is a Nigerian and currently pursuing a PhD degree in Marine Engineering at Dalian Maritime University, China, where he also completed his master’s degree. His area of specialization includes; particle detection and microfluidic technologies and he has won different awards while studying in this institution including, the 2020 Autumn Excellent Performance Award. Joseph had received a Diploma in Marine Engineering from African Maritime Academy, Nigeria, where he was the President of the Association of Marine Engineering Cadets and Education Vice-Chairman and also won the best cadet during his time at the school. Thereafter, he pursued a B.Sc. degree in Marine Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
