I want to improve education and research sector in India… Abhinaba Ghosh, PhD candidate at University of Cambridge, UK.

Britain has long been known as a great educational destination. Great universities with ample funding attract the best minds of the world to be here who are genuinely interested. Abhinaba Ghosh, a meritorious student from VIT University, Vellore, has made into two top ranked colleges of the World – Imperial College London and University of Cambridge. He hails from Purnea, Bihar and completed his B.Sc. Microbiology and M.Sc. Applied Microbiology program from VIT University with full scholarship. Later, he has completed M.Sc. by Research in Imperial College of London, and is currently pursuing PhD in Genetics in University of Cambridge. Sakshieducation.com has contacted him to enlighten the aspirants who wish to study in UK. Let us look into his success journey in his words… Studies I am from Purnea, Bihar and completed my B.Sc. Microbiology and M.Sc. Applied Microbiology fromVIT University, Vellore, with full scholarship. For M.Sc. by Research, I was selected at theImperial College London, UK as a visiting researcher with part funding by the host university and partly by VIT University. I worked at the “Centre of Molecular Microbiology and Infection” at the College in the microbial genetics theme. High standard training at an internationally recognized organization prepared me for a research career. I have presented research work at the various international conferences/seminars as invited speaker with full funding by the hosts. Conferences at the University of Erlangen in Germany, Hans-Knoll Institute, Germany and the 5th Advances Against Aspergillosis Conference, Istanbul, Turkey were a few to mention. I also have a few scientific and non-scientific publications to my credit. PhD at University of Cambridge I am currently pursuing doctoral studies at the prestigious University of Cambridge. I was accepted for PhD by the regular admission process of international students at the University. I received prestigious scholarships for PhD education, which includeCambridge- Nehru Scholarship-2012, Rajiv Gandhi (UK) Scholarship-2012, St. Edmund’s Duke of Edinburgh Scholarship-2012 and the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Scholarship-2012 and was the highest ranked candidate for the scholarship competition worldwide. I am presently working on cancer genetics at Cambridge and a member of St. Edmund’s College. University of Cambridge is very helpful Institutes like University of Cambridge have ample support for incoming international students. Before leaving country, they will send all the required information as how to reach the campus in most convenient way. Generally, accommodation is pre-booked for international students and is a requirement for visa application as well. The University also organizes orientation program which involves guided tours and various sessions about opening bank account, laundry services and other information as health facilities, etc. Social events to enable making new friends are also organized. Students are also assigned a tutor who acts as a proctor with whom they can confidentially talk and consult any issues they may have. Students undertaking PhD programme at the University of Cambridge are normally expected to be serious researcher and academician. World class facilities and excellent mentoring is what makes Cambridge amongst the leading universities in the world. Getting education involves all-round development of your personality traits. Ample opportunities and great ambience helps making you a leader in their respective field after the education at Cambridge. PhD students work in the labs with a close supervision from their supervisor while M.Phil. students have both coursework as well as laboratory sessions. Normal working hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday; however, you are welcome to explore the facilities any time you want to. Ambition After the completion of doctoral studies, I wish to pursue postdoctoral research and return to India. I want to work for the improvement of education and research sectors in India. Success Secret I believe that there is no shortcut to success and one needs to have patience and determination towards the goal! Inspiration My parents, Mr. Sekar Viswanathan, Vice President of VIT and my maternal grandparents always motivated me towards my goal. Excellent academic track record with some extracurricular attainments can get you admission with full scholarship in UK! Mr. Abhinaba Ghosh can be reached at abhinaba@vit.ac.in