SIS PhD Graduate Shares Learning Experience

Qiang Yan, who graduated from SMU last August with a PhD in Information Systems, was invited to share his learning experience with existing and potential PhD students at the School of Information Systems on 17 July 2014. Now a Research Engineer at Google Switzerland GmBH, Qiang acknowledged that his PhD journey had been a trial of mind and body. However, he expressed that the process was a rewarding one, for it made him realise his potential and capabilities, as well as the art of learning. When he started his PhD study in SMU, he was interested in quite a number of research areas. By the time he graduated, he was specialising in information security and trust, specifically in the sub-areas of user authentication, mobile security and privacy, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) protocol.

On the choice of dissertation topics, Qiang advised the students to select topics that they were passionate about and had relevant skills for. He cautioned them against prejudging a research topic, especially if they were unfamiliar with it. Similarly, they should not give up on a topic unless: (i) the research problem has been solved; (ii) it has been proven as insolvable; or (iii) it does not generate any concern or interest. If any of these were to happen, one could then consider changing the topic, but not without first consulting his or her supervisor. In this regard, Qiang advised the students not to take a ‘lonesome’ journey but to always seek advice, feedback and help from fellow colleagues. Last but not least, he shared with them the importance of having work-life balance, which he felt had helped him maintain his efficiency during his five-year study.

Back to Research@SMU Issue 17 (Aug 2014)