10th August 2023, JOHOR BAHRU – PGSS FCE successfully organized a physical structure course titled “Preparation for Proposal, Progress Report, and Viva Defence” in the smart classroom D02 at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, UTM. The guest speaker for the event was Prof. Ir. Dr. Ramli Bin Nazir, a distinguished figure in Geotechnical Engineering, who has been a Professor at the Geotechnical and Transportation Department, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia since 1989. Prior to the event, PGSS effectively promoted the program across popular social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, a week prior to its commencement. The initiative was open to all UTM students, encompassing both undergraduates and postgraduates from various faculties, resulting in a notable turnout of 62 participants.
This course aims to:
1. To provide guidance to the students on how to get ready for a successful VIVA defense presentation.
2. To examine potential study areas for the construction sector and the use of qualitative methods in research.
The PGSS committee diligently arranged all necessary arrangements well before the program’s start at 8:30 am. Participants and the esteemed speaker, Prof. Ramli, assembled around 9:30 am. The program kicked off promptly at 10:00 am with the rendition of the national anthem and UTM’s theme song. Following the moderator’s introduction of the speaker, the presentation commenced at 10:20 am. Prof. Ramli began by sharing his personal journey during his PhD studies and subsequently delved into the concepts of postgraduate education and research. He proceeded to offer valuable insights on drafting a comprehensive research proposal, covering each chapter from abstract to bibliography. The presentation was followed by an engaging Q&A session. The program then seamlessly transitioned to Prof. Ramli’s illuminating discourse on crafting effective progress reports and the associated techniques. The final segment of the program centered on Prof. Ramli’s expert advice on preparing for a viva defense. This segment was followed by another interactive Q&A session, fostering dynamic discussions among the participants. The day’s proceedings culminated with Prof. Ramli shedding light on upcoming PGSS activities and opportunities for member recruitment. As the program drew to a close, a concluding ceremony took place, punctuated by a group photo session. The event concluded on a positive note at 1:00 pm. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive 88.7% assigning the program the highest possible rating of 5.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
- To provide guidance to the students on how to get ready for a successful VIVA defense presentation.
- To examine potential study areas for the construction sector and the use of qualitative methods in research
