School of Economics

Kian Ong

Kian Ong
Subject: PhD Economics

Graduated: 2016

Kian's first academic love was science, but in time he came to appreciate that economics, like physics, can be applied almost universally. A single lecture on business economics was enough to alter the course of his life.

 

How did you first become interested in economics?

For a long time my academic focus was on science. I was a science student in high school and did well in my exams. My favourite subject was physics - I found the laws and principles fascinating and would spend hours applying them to whatever I encountered in everyday life.

The original idea was that I would be an engineer. That was the natural path for most of my classmates. But in time I began to have doubts that I would be a success in that field - and that’s where economics comes into the story!

My parents, especially my mom, were always talking about the economy. That's what first made me aware of economics. And it was my mom who eventually suggested I try for a business degree.

The first economics lecture I attended was entitled Business Economics A. I realised straight away that I'd found my true calling. It struck me there and then that economics is the physics of the business world and that I could relate to it in exactly the same way.

 
Why did you choose to study at The University of Nottingham?

The usual progression for graduates from my high school would be to go to either a private university or college in Malaysia or to a university in Singapore. The outstanding options in the Kuala Lumpur area, where my family lives, are the Malaysia campuses of the University of Nottingham, in Semenyih, and Monash University, in Bandar Sunway.

 
The Malaysia campus opened in 2000, just seven years before you began studying there.

That's right. It felt very new and impressive when my mom took me there. What I particularly liked about it was that it was big and modern but also set in quite a remote area, which for me made it a great place to study.

Another important factor was that Nottingham offered a scholarship covering full tuition fees. I was able to take advantage of that opportunity as an undergraduate, and I've since been sponsored for my masters and PhD as well. That's an amazing benefit for a student from Malaysia.

 
What are your fondest memories of your time at the Malaysia campus?

That first lecture I mentioned, Business Economics A, was taught by Rasyad Parinduri. In hindsight, he's the reason I’m doing what I'm doing now. His teaching inspired me throughout my time at the Malaysia campus, and many of my fondest memories revolve around discussions with him outside lecture hours.

I also have great memories of heading to Broga, a beautiful town near the campus, with my classmates. We often ate there, as I did with my family whenever they visited me.

 
And what about your time in Nottingham?

I've been in Nottingham for more than five years now, and the memories are just too numerous to list!

I love the campus, which really is a park, and I love the friendly environment of the school. I've made a lot of lifelong friends here - not just among my fellow students but among the staff - and these are obviously gifts that I'll treasure forever.

 

 

Tell us about the academic environment.

It's remarkable. There are so many inspiring researchers. It's incredible to be able to spend time with people you admire, to have coffee with them, and find out they're really just "normal"!

The seminars are also fantastic. I always try to meet the speakers and maybe even take a walk around the campus with them to discuss research. Again, these are memories that I know I'll take home with me and cherish forever.

 
What have been the advantages of your inter-campus experiences?

My experiences at both campuses have been very comparable in terms of learning style and expectation. Malaysia gave me a strong foundation to embark on my masters, and in the UK I've been astonished by the international dimension of the overall experience. On the whole, I feel I've enjoyed the benefits of globalisation at first hand.

 
What advice would you give to someone considering or about to start a course at the school?

It depends on the course.

A masters is a sprint. It's only a year long, and there's a lot to cover in that time. I remember the Head of School telling me how quickly the year would pass, and he was right. It's very challenging yet extremely fulfilling academically. So my advice would be to work very hard early on.

A PhD, on the other hand, is a marathon. It can be a struggle to find a productive research routine and to attain the level of independence you need to decide how to spend your time, which seminars to attend and so on. It really is a learning process. You have to play the long game. Eventually you reach a stage where you're able to pace yourself. You learn that you don't necessarily have to work flat-out every day if it means your overall productivity will suffer.

I would say establishing a positive rapport with your supervisors is the best guarantee of a good PhD experience. So quite early on - certainly by the beginning of year two - you should really make an effort to build trust and a solid working relationship with them.

 
Is staying in touch with your fellow alumni important to you?

Yes, I think it's good to know how your peers are doing. I use Facebook, WhatsApp and Snapchat to stay in contact.

For someone like me, who's about to embark on a career, staying in touch also helps keep your options open. Finding out how your peers are progressing in their new professional lives or in their research is always instructive and relevant.

 
Have you been back to the Malaysia campus since you left?

Yes, every time I travel home I visit the campus to see Rasyad. He and I are working on a research paper together now. I'll do the same when I leave the UK. I always like to return to see friends and colleagues.

 

 

 

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