How a Singaporean Student Won the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship to Study Media & Politics at the University of Melbourne

Hello Namaskar. This is Dr. Avisak Bhattacharjee from Bangladesh. I have been recently awarded a Doctoral degree (PhD) in Medicine from one of the world’s prestigious academic sanctuaries, the University of Adelaide (THE ranking 82). There, I worked as a member of the Breast Biology and Cancer Unit of the Discipline of Surgical Science. My research broadly focused on breast density notification in breast cancer screening in Australia.

Back in Bangladesh, I worked as a specialist surgeon at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka. Thereafter, I came to Adelaide to pursue a Master's coursework for two years in Health Service Management at the University of South Australia, securing the Vice Chancellor's Merit Award. However, my journey towards my PhD was not well-planned. In 2020, when the whole Australian border was restricted for travelers due to the COVID pandemic, I was stranded. Consequently, I planned differently and started sending cold emails to the potential supervisors. The first email received a positive response, and I met my supervisor, A/P Wendy Ingman, at her office, and she agreed to supervise my project. Thereafter, the journey commenced with the paperwork submitted to the enrolment and scholarship committee of the University of Adelaide. With God’s grace, the university ensured my enrolment as a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student with a scholarship. I endeavoured on my journey to a doctoral degree. Meanwhile, I applied to leave the existing Master’s course after completion of one year at the University of South Australia. Therefore, the university awarded me a postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management.

The Hospital Research Foundation and the Faculty of Health Science of the University of Adelaide Scholarship

I commenced my PhD journey in March 2021, and I have been awarded this prestigious scholarship for my colourful academic portfolio. The Hospital Research Foundation is a prominent third-party health-related organisation in Australia that provides 50% of this scholarship, along with the remaining 50% from the Faculty of Health Science of the university. Usually, the scholarship committees of both organisations together finalise the decision about the list of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students.  This is not a categorised scholarship for international students only; rather, it is open to all local and global HDR students studying in the South Australian Universities. Therefore, it is an extremely competitive scholarship to achieve. The amount of the scholarship was approximately 33000 AUD p.a., which is tax-free. Along with this scholarship, I received several career awards, travel support, and conference awards from Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, the Basil Hetzel Research Institute, and THRF to present my research on global platforms throughout three and a half years of my course. Additionally, I received the Best Speaker in Clinical Category award provided by the South Australian Breast Cancer Study Group and the Outstanding Abstract Award 2025 by the International Breast Density and Cancer Risk Assessment Workshop selection committee of the USA. The most notable award I received is the ‘Adelaide Graduate Award’ that is mentioned in my certificate and transcript of the PhD degree, as the University of Adelaide values this award as prestigious to proclaim the candidate as highly employable.

Educational Background

I received a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from Chattogram Medical College under the University of Chattogram with a full-funded scholarship from the Bangladesh government. Thereafter, I completed my intense surgical training in different hospitals of Bangladesh and was awarded the Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS) from the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS). I pursued my Master's in Public Health (MPH) with a Merit Scholarship from the Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB). Moreover, I completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management from the University of South Australia with a Vice Chancellor's Merit Scholarship. The last academic milestone I touched is the PhD in Medicine with the THRF/FHMS scholarship of the University of Adelaide.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions?

Before applying for the HDR position at any global eminent institute, potential candidates must consider some factors. The rule of thumb is 4W1H. What, When, Where, Who, and How. I followed the rule and tried to understand what degree would match my career, and how I can align my previous career with that degree. When should I approach? Whom should I approach means who will be the best supervisor for my project based on my skill and expertise, and the project proposal? How should I approach means what papers are important to be gathered and how to manage the papers with set criteria, for instance, IELTS with the required scores.

What and Where: During the COVID pandemic, I was in Adelaide, and I targeted the University of Adelaide as it is a member of the Group Eight universities (Alliance of top-ranked 8 Australian universities) and one of the high-performing universities in the world according to the global rankings. Thereafter, I talked to AskAdelaide (a wing of the university that serves students with their queries) about choosing a degree, as I was not sure if I could pursue a PhD in Medicine, showing my MPH certificate. They assured me that ‘it's possible’ if I can manage a supervisor for my project.

Who: For a hunting supervisor, the particular university website is the best resource. I started looking for supervisors and made a list of three in the initial stage. I was careful that the chosen person is eligible to supervise. Because not all people shown on the university website as faculty members are eligible to supervise. It’s always written at the end of the thumbnail or inside the portfolio of the potential supervisor that if he/she is eligible to supervise or recruit PhD candidates.  Thereafter, I started sending cold mail with an expression of interest to conduct the PhD research, attaching a portfolio (Comprehensive profile with all awarded certificates, including IELTS test results). In the email body, I included a short introduction of mine with a brief academic, professional, and research focus, and explained how my research interest is aligned with his/her research field, incorporating a few sentences praising his/her recent publications. The potential supervisors always receive hundreds of EOIs from potential candidates. I tried heart and soul to make my EOI stand out. Therefore, I not only followed the aforementioned strategies but also highlighted the email with a ‘High importance’ label and scheduled the email to be sent just before the office time. Because all the academicians mostly browse their mail inbox in the first 20-30 minutes with a cup of coffee after reaching their offices. My tricks worked, and I received the interview call from the first email I sent.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Vice Chancellor's Merit Scholarship?

After a fruitful one-hour interview with the potential supervisor, I received a confirmation email from her including some guidance about the next steps of enrollment and scholarships. The email contained some important links to the university's web portals. My supervisor communicated with the admin staff of the Adelaide Graduate Research School (AGRS) to help me in the subsequent stages. Therefore, it was not too tough for me, and I followed their guidance, gathered all the required papers as per the checklist they provided, and applied for enrollment and scholarship separately.

How Is (was) Your Experience at the Institution?

The University of Adelaide is one of the best universities in the world. They are very popular for their harmonious, inclusive, and helpful environment. The staff are very friendly and welcoming.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My application included all my previous awards, degrees, volunteering, and professional experiences. I do believe that every detail about the previous achievements must be included in the application, no matter how small the achievement is. Additionally, volunteering experiences add golden values to the application.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again? What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Throughout, I approached it in a very organised and seamless way during the application process. Therefore, I would follow the same procedure if I were to go through the process again. However, during the previous application, I did not check the performance profile of my supervisor. It is undeniable that most students from third-world countries always try hard to ensure a supervisor to commence their course as early as possible. Fortunately, I got the best supervisor unknowingly, as she received the best supervisor commendation award several times from the university. Not all supervisors are the same. If the supervisor is extremely busy and cannot provide adequate time or depends upon the postdoc for guidance, the PhD project will be ruined. Because he or she will see the project wearing the glass of the postdoc. I found a few PhD students of other supervisors in my lab to left their courses as they were not receiving adequate time and guidance from their supervisors. This was a painful experience to see the most hardworking student of my lab leave her course due to unexpectedly bad supervision. Consequently, I would urge the future candidates to please do not fall for a supervisor without knowing adequately about her supervision.  It is tricky to get some information before joining a team, but not impossible. Checking the supervisor’s LinkedIn profile and X handle might give some ideas about her achievements. Moreover, all the candidates must have a well-prepared LinkedIn and ORCiD profile before sending an email to the supervisors.

Thank you all and best wishes for future endeavours.