SUCCESS isn't an easy feat.
From taking on an undergraduate degree to graduating with a doctorate, persistence and hard work is key to achieving success.
COMMITTED TO HELPING STUDENTS
Master's and PhD thesis management expert Dr Mohd Khairul Nizam Zainan Nazri said that many students are unable to complete their studies on time because they fail to finish their thesis.
"They fail because they are not skilled in thesis management and studies," he opined.
Dr Mohd Khairul Nizam, the founder of 2M World Sdn Bhd and better known as Dr Roket, has been actively conducting Master's and PhD thesis management seminars in Malaysia for the past few years.
Since 2016, over 70,000 Masters and PhD students have benefitted from Dr Roket's online and offline seminars, learning the skills to manage their thesis-writing with their hectic lifestyle.
EARLY ESTABLISHMENT
Recalling the early moments of the establishment of 2M World Sdn Bhd, Dr Roket's seminars started on a medium scale.
The company only had five staff members, including Dr Khairul and his wife, Dr Mardiana Mat Ishak, who was also a PhD student at the time.
Their first ever seminar, attended by only 50 participants, was free. And they only managed to collect RM50 from the sale of books they authored together.
However, Dr Roket soon became a household name when he actively reached out to the community via travel programmes throughout the country.
FACED WITH RIDICULE
Gaining the community's trust did not come easy for Dr Roket.
In 2017, he faced criticism on social media when he was slandered for operating fraudulent and poor-quality programmes.
Dr Roket was accused of offering absurd solutions, such as convincing students that they could complete a thesis in a short period of less than six months.
As a result of the incident, Dr Roket's reputation took a hit and he was also not allowed to run any of his programmes at universities.
However, undeterred by these developments, he continued to serve the community.
Presently, he continues to offer his services for postgraduate students, which indirectly helps supervisors, universities and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) nationwide to produce many high-quality Master's and PhD holders.
SUCCESSFUL TIMES
Dr Roket's name soared when he qualified to represent the Selayang district at the Selangor State Innovation Awards 2018 (AINS) finals.
He was recognised for introducing thesis management systems for students, namely the Roket Research Diary (RRD) and the Advance Roket Master PhD Chart (ARMP Chart).
RRD and ARMP Chart are the first 'tools' in Malaysia and the world to assist Masters and PhD students in thesis management, as well as provide a more structured form of academic and life governance.
In 2019, Dr Roket's programmes received a warm response, including the Mudah Siap Tesis (MST) seminar, GEMPUR seminar now known as Nak Ubah Tesis (NUT), Roket Intensive Class (RIC) 1 and RIC 2, VIVAlicious, Roket Inner Circle Meeting (RICM) and Master PhD Roket Coach (CRMP) certification.
Over 1,200 students attended the GEMPUR seminar, while more than 150 Dr Roket Platinum participants attended the RIC 1 and RIC 2 seminars.
Dr Khairul also has a 7.45 am segment called the "Morning Doc" on Dr Roket's official Facebook and YouTube page.
STUDENT SHARING
Sharing the experience of attending the MST seminar, Diplomatic Administrative Officer (PTD) Mohd Fauzi Mohd Said said he sought Dr Roket's help after realising his thesis writing process had been delayed for a long time.
"For two and a half years of pursuing a PhD in engineering at the University of Cambridge, I was only able to write 50 pages of a thesis even though the data was readily available.
"After attending this seminar, my mentality shifted. I was taught a new routine that undergraduate and PhD students should practice. It's a simple practice that I wasn't aware of all this time.
"I am thankful that my thesis draft has reached 1,707 pages. It is an incredible and extraordinary achievement," Fauzi said.
According to Fauzi, the joy he felt whilst pursuing his PhD study abroad was also shared amongst his friends, who he considered like family.
"Even while abroad, the term 'lonely journey' does not apply for me," he shared.
Another MST participant, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Penang senior lecturer Dr Nur Ashikin Marzuki said that the knowledge shared by Dr Roket helped her throughout her PhD studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
"The most memorable thing was my Viva presentation process.
"The Viva presentation, which is usually nerve-racking, turned into an enjoyable discussion session where the panel of evaluators and I just exchanged views and thoughts. It was engaging and interesting," she shared.
Apart from Dr Nur Ashikin, other Dr Roket Platinum participants who went through Viva sessions between 2020 to 2021 in various fields and specialties shared the same sentiments.
Dr Roket also advised each of his students to prioritise furthering their studies.
"Without precise intentions and goals, continuing one's studies will be a challenge.
"Most importantly, never be afraid because the opportunity to carve a name for yourself is a valuable experience to be proud of, as postgraduate students are a valuable asset for the future of the country," he said.
TARGET 60,000 PHD HOLDERS
Through increased support for the programme, Dr Roket expressed his commitment and determination to help produce more PhD holders in the country.
Masters and PhD students can attend the MST seminar which will be held virtually soon.
"By 2023, I am committed to helping at least 60,000 more PhD holders, thus realising the target of the Ministry of Higher Education.
"This seminar is recommended for those who face trouble while completing their thesis and for those who plan to or are continuing their Master's and PhD degrees," he said.
Users can also receive an e-book guide by Dr Roket for more tips on writing a thesis quickly here.
Written by: Mohammad Asyraf Khalib
This article originally appeared on Harian Metro with rights to be republished on the New Straits Times.