DIFFICULTIES IN POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

In Malaysia, postgraduate research has become an integral part of higher education that helps in the generation of knowledge, innovation, and socio-economic development. Nevertheless, postgraduate research is confronted by numerous challenges that affect the quality and efficiency of the output. The article explores the difficulties of postgraduate research, focusing specifically on Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The researcher talked with three participants who have different issues faced while studying in UTHM. Some important problems encountered by postgraduate researchers in UTHM are quality of supervision, inadequate funding of research, limited access to advanced infrastructure, and challenges of balancing work and study. These are compounded by administrative inefficiencies and delay the progress of research and completion of a degree. The study proposes enhanced supervisions through professional development, better funding opportunities, improvement of research infrastructure, flexible study options for part-time students, and streamlining of administrative processes as solutions. Meeting these challenges would place Malaysia in a strategic position as a leader of research in Southeast Asia and would promote efficiencies in postgraduate research outcomes.