On October 4, 2023, in SERDANG, the School of Graduate Studies (SPS) received a visit from Ms. Sena Galazzi, the Program Manager of The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). OWSD is an international organization that has been providing research training, career development, and networking opportunities for women scientists worldwide at various stages of their careers since 1998. OWSD has supported over 470 women scientists from countries facing inequality in science and technology (STLCs) to pursue PhD research in natural sciences, engineering, and information technology at host institutions in developing countries in the Global South, including Malaysia.

The visit was well-received by Prof. Dr. Zalilah (Dean of SPS), Prof. Dr. Hjh. Firdaus Mukhtar (Deputy Dean of Admissions, Institutional Relations, and Financial Aid), and members of the Institutional Relations Unit, along with 12 PhD students sponsored by OWSD who are actively studying and conducting research in various faculties at UPM.

The visit took place from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm and was divided into two separate sessions. The first session occurred exclusively between the OWSD Program Manager and representatives of SPS. This brief session was held in the Dean's Meeting Room from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm with the objective of discussing UPM's experiences and suggestions for improving programs from the institutional perspective when working with OWSD-sponsored PhD students. It also aimed to discuss existing synergies and identify potential areas of collaboration in Malaysia and Southeast Asia in general.

The second session moved to Meeting Room 1, where 12 out of the 18 actively registered full-time and part-time OWSD-sponsored PhD students at UPM were invited to share their insights. Throughout the two-hour session, various feedback and experiences were recorded to ensure potential improvements in the management processes with OWSD-sponsored PhD students.

The visit concluded with the exchange of souvenirs and group photos with Ms. Sena Galazzi and OWSD-sponsored PhD students.

Date of Input: 02/10/2023 | Updated: 14/12/2023 | aslamiah