On 13th – 14th June 2024 and 24th -25th June 2024 the forest science community gathered for an enlightening seminar presented by PhD REFOREST students. Jacqueline Kajembe who is one of the PhD candidates in Forest Sciences under the same program had an opportunity to share her research findings with the academic community and gained valuable feedback to improve her manuscripts. She had the privilege of presenting her findings twice and she would like to share her takeaway message from these two presentations.
My Takeaways from Seminar Presentations
On the day of the presentation, I arrived early at the seminar room to ensure everything was in order and to calm my nerves. It wasn’t easy, but this preparation was crucial.
Standing in front of academicians was daunting. I didn’t want to disappoint myself or, more importantly, my supervisors who had confidence in me. So, I promised myself to give it my best effort.
Despite the pressure, I believed in myself and the value of my research. I concentrated on presenting my key findings confidently and clearly. To make the presentation more engaging and understandable, I used pictures, tables, and real-life examples from the field
“The Feedback Loop: Turning Questions into Opportunities for Improvement”
One of the most rewarding aspects of both seminars was the feedback session. After my presentation, the floor was opened for questions and comments. This session was very important since it indicated how much my work has been understood by the audience but at the same time, it made me realize how much I have understood my work through discussion and responding to questions. Henceforth, this experience was truly eye-opening I discovered strengths and areas for improvement I hadn’t realized before. Responding to questions and accepting suggestions for improvement helped me significantly. These interactions were invaluable, providing not just feedback but also inspiring innovative ways to disseminate my findings.
Feedback from Discussant Dr.Charles Kilawe
Kajembe responding to questions
Conclusion
The opportunity to share my research, receive constructive feedback, and engage with the academic community provided me with a new perspective as a PhD student. These experiences have not only refined my research but also contributed significantly to my personal and academic growth. Most importantly, these presentations allowed me to assess my readiness for my upcoming PhD defense, which is just around the corner.
