Path to the PhD in plant breeding and biotechnology at Makerere University

Abstract

There are many myths and realities associated with the PhD journey. It also comes with a lot of challenges; however, these are surmountable. Some of these challenges include the race against time, problems both from the part of supervisors and students themselves, the fact that the journey could be a ‘lonely’ one, and that the nature of PhD research itself is challenging. Notwithstanding these myriads of challenges, many have completed the journey within the three years minimum period required in most institutions. Being clear about the research topic and starting the PhD research early, having sponsorship (funding), not seeing it as an ‘ivory tower’, understanding the nature of PhD by both not underestimating and overestimating what is required, not losing contact with supervisors at any point in the journey, not taking a job before finishing the PhD, and ‘wanting’ a PhD with a purpose but not just for the sake of it, are key to overcoming these challenges. It is important for PhD students to realize that it takes more than brilliance to successfully reach the end of the ‘PhD journey’, and that it also needs determination and application. Also, the role of the supervisor should not be seen as simple, but, as a complex professional one, which requires much more than good will and spare time