I don't know how to share my worries and stress with other people regarding the importance of publishing some parts of my research in ISI-indexed journals. As a sponsored student, there are conditions imposed upon me by the two sponsoring bodies: UM and MOHE. The former requires that all staff-in-training to publish at least three papers in ISI-indexed journals during their candidature. Else, the top management will not consider staff's request for study and scholarship extension. These staff are also not eligible for promotion if they haven't got at least three published papers in ISI-indexed journals. I personally don't like this because to write a paper in ISI-indexed journals requires a lot of time, energy, efforts, and money. How am I going to concentrate on producing a good or even 'outstanding' thesis if I have to sacrifice some of my study time to write papers? But, reality bites... Who am I? I'm just 'ikan bilis' and those top management personnel are 'ikan haruan'. I am just a cucumber and those people are durians. They can easily put my PhD journey to end on the grounds of non-compliance. Inilah nasib orang miskin yang tak berduit untuk tanggung pengajian sendiri....
On a positive note, well, this is just another challenge that I need to face and deal with during my PhD journey. Yes, it takes time to write journal articles! Yes, it takes efforts to write quality papers, but the experience would be rewarding. I haven't got any papers published in any international journals yet. So, why not take this opportunity to try to publish at least one paper. The reviewers' comment and suggestions might be useful to refine my thesis before submission. I think I should try. well, at least that I can do is try, right?
Write...write...write...no matter what.
Write...write...write...to produce what?
Write...write...write...to be bright
Write...write...write...till it becomes right.
