Finally.....I arrived

It has been such a painful delay. It really puts my perseverance to the ultimate test. I guess God just wants to test me out and prepared me for the three years to come.

Reflecting back, to be able to finally arrive in Oxford is another big manifestation of God's miracle. I would now think that if getting an offer for doctoral studies and fellowship to finance the three years was remarkable experience of tasting God's providence, then the painful experience of bedridden for 2 weeks and being able to walk again 2 weeks after that was truly God's grace.

During the painful period of sickness, I have at times given up hope of making it this year. Much thoughts have been given to deferring the course to the following intake. However, reflecting back, it seems like the plan is still for me to do it this year and I believe this incident was truly a learning experience in testing my perseverance, which I believe should come in handy for the next three years and after.

Yes, finally I have arrived in Oxford.

Magna Charta Universitatum

My final piece of work as a Research Officer. I guess I'm going miss the excitement of preparing these fortnightly articles.

Enjoy

Magna Charta Universitatum

Tertiary Education and Publicity

Taking a glimpse of the advertisements in the newspaper and around the billboards and banners on the streets, one could surely find some tertiary education institutions publicise their institutions and the courses that they have to offer. Adding to that, road-shows by these educational institutions are also becoming a norm to attract students.

I, for one, felt that these publicity activities might have a negative effect on the institutions. Why is there a need for these institutions to publicise themselves if they are already the best in the industry? To me, some of the advertising techniques were simply begging students to pursue courses with them. Do students really want to be begged to study?

Frankly, after attending numerous education fairs and road-shows, I came to realise that the truly prestigious and respectable institutions are usually not represented. This is simply due to the fact that they are already getting those quality students, perhaps more than they could accommodate.

Going by this logic, then publicity of tertiary education should have negative effects to the institutions as it produces the signal to the consumers (students and parents) that the institution has yet to achieved a respectable status in the industry.

Just sharing some of my thoughts.

Setback to Miracle

It has been a miraculous journey since November 2007, beginning with me receiving an unconditional offer from a world-class university to pursue doctoral studies. Next came an unexpected opportunity to work in the area that I intend to pursue one month later. Who can ask for a better foundational preparation. Following that, the miracle continued with the unplanned and unanticipated offer of a fellowship, which technically I didn't apply. How could I not said this is a miracle where God has arranged everything for me.

Everything was shaping up smoothly towards my departure. Then came the setback three weeks before my scheduled departure. I was downed with leg pain, which was due to some problem in my back. I was technically bedridden for 2 weeks and this greatly jeopardise my preparation. Furthermore, I was even admitted to hospital for 2 days.

Now, although the pain has been drastically reduced, walking continue to be a painful act to do. I have postponed my depature for a week and now eagerly praying and hoping that I could walk painlessly this Sunday when I depart for this miraculous journey.

There has been thoughts in me, urging me to look forward to the challenge and excitement of the doctoral studies; yet another part of me struggled with the fear to go ahead with the journey bearing the pain in walking and venture in the unknown.

It has been a miracle so far. No doubt about it! My only prayer now is for God to grant me more faith in Him to continue the journey or seek His wisdom if the plan is for me to delay or defer the studies.

Lord, I give thanks for the miracle plan You have placed in my life. I seek Your guidance whether to continue the journey or delay it for me to fully recover. You are the God that guides as well as the God that heals. I commit into Your hands this decision and the subsequent challenges ahead. Thank you. Amen.

Harmonisation of Higher Education

Another 2-part series about harmonisation of higher education in various regions around the world as well as specifically about Southeast Asia.

Part One
Part Two