Plan '14: Further Studies

As a new term begins again in UK after the long summer break, it also marks the start of classes for a new batch of Masters students.

Ever since graduation last year with a first class honours in Mass Communications, one thing that never slipped my mind amidst all job woes etc. is my plan to get a Masters after working for a year or two.

It is definitely in my pipeline to get my Masters, just a matter of time. Be it in a few years or in a few decades. However, most importantly, prior to that, I need to get into a career in which my qualifications will value add to it. Thus my determination in getting my desired job! I am planning for my future, not just living by the day.

Alright, job woes aside, let's not lose sight of the main topic, further studies. My strong interest in online communications and internet governance has prompted me to scour for universities with specialisation in it. I have also narrowed down to focus on Asian universities as I would like to specialise in the above areas, in Asian context. Asia itself has so much to offer in terms of online communications and internet governance, I will certainly want to add on to the literature in these areas here. Moreover, I've already benefited from the western culture during my first degree days in UK.

The four universities I'm looking at are in Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore respectively. The latter three universities have a centre for comms, thus pipping my interest. Especially S.Korea with its growing research in internet governance, the call is beckoning. However, Singapore has the 'home ground advantage' in not overstretching my finance.

I am particularly interested in internet governance due to the vast challenges faced in the virtual environment and its relevance to everyone of us. Isn't it so interesting? It is constantly changing, and really, not easy to keep up with its progress. Whenever, I read on internet governance, it never fails to keep me on the ball, thinking and being critical and all.

It was also an eye opener for me when I represented the Singapore Internet Research Centre to Internet Governance Forum in 2011 after emerging victorious in the selection camp where I learnt a great deal from experts. All the issues discussed in IGF were so relevant and interesting, yet challenged, which calls for more academic papers and research to add on to this topic.

I've set my sight on one of Singapore universities' Masters in Mass Comm as it will not overly stretch my finances. It allows me to continue to build up my work experience while taking my studies part-time, and most importantly, Singapore's man of internet governance is there. The only member from Singapore in the United Nation's working group of Internet Governance hails from this university. After going on the trip to Kenya for IGF'11 with him and his team, I am really motivated to go under his tutelage one day. More reasons to substantiate this target but this is the main one. I want to learn from the best.

You know, getting new knowledge does not stop the moment you get the cert. It is a new beginning in the journey of sharing. What is the point if you are the smartest person, alone. Education is to encourage collective growth for greater progress.

Fingers crossed, hopefully I will be able to get into next year's enrolment! Meanwhile, I will continue to work hard as always. ^^

N.B: Been a long time since I really had such an opinionated post.