Author: Professor Dr. Md. Yamin Hossain
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi.
Md. Yamin Hossain is a distinguished academic and researcher who has served as a PhD supervisor at the University of Rajshahi for many years. His research primarily focuses on sustainable solutions in the energy sector and the development of advanced technologies in the oil and gas industries. He encourages students to conduct high-quality research and make contributions on an international scale. Read on for more details:
Is it really right to measure a supervisor’s success by the number of PhD degrees?
Many PhD supervisors proudly claim that they have produced 10 or even 20 PhD degree holders. However, this quantitative pride only becomes meaningful when those researchers have achieved high standards in terms of quality. Measuring a supervisor’s success solely by the number of PhD degrees undermines the true purpose of a PhD and the value of research. Here are some arguments as to why a supervisor’s success should not be judged just by the number of PhD degrees:
The True Success is in Quality:
⊕ The main objective of a PhD researcher is to generate new knowledge and apply it in relevant contexts. The quality, relevance, and international recognition of research are the hallmarks of a good researcher.
⊕ If the degree holders cannot make any significant contribution through their research, then the large number of PhD degrees awarded by a supervisor holds little real value.
Research Outcomes and Impact:
⊕ The PhD process is not just an educational or training phase; it is a stage where new knowledge is generated through research. Therefore, if fellows under a supervisor cannot publish significant research or make notable discoveries, success cannot be proven by numbers alone.
⊕ A degree and a supervisor become truly valuable only if there are internationally recognized publications, citations, patents, technological innovations, or significant societal impact from the research outcomes.
Lack of Proof of Research Quality:
⊕ If researchers fail to demonstrate their competence—for example, by publishing in high-quality journals or participating in important research projects—their PhD degree becomes little more than a formality.
⊕ A PhD degree is not merely formal education; it is tied to skill, critical thinking, and impactful research. Without these achievements, the mere numbers of degrees awarded hold no lasting significance.
The Impact of Education and the Value of Networking:
⊕ As a supervisor, a researcher must provide a high-quality educational environment and the right networks for students, enabling them to contribute globally to research.
⊕ If researchers under a PhD supervisor cannot build strong networks or gain opportunities to work in high-quality research institutes, then boasting about the number of degrees is unrealistic.
Long-Term Impact:
⊕ A successful PhD program has a long-term impact on the researcher’s future career and their contributions to society. If students under a supervisor only obtain degrees but fail to make significant contributions in their professional lives, then the sheer number of those degrees does not reflect any lasting success.
Providing Leadership in Research:
⊕ Good research is not measured solely by quantity, but by leadership. A capable supervisor helps guide students in their research journey and inspires them to reach higher levels in their fields.
⊕ If students under a supervisor fail to show leadership in research, the supervisor’s claims of success based just on numbers reflect a very narrow perspective.
Therefore, the success and competence of PhD holders should be evaluated based on the quality of research they have achieved, its relevance, and its impact on society. The true success of a supervisor or student, as well as the quality of research, cannot be measured by the number of degrees awarded alone.
The following factors help indicate the quality of a good PhD degree and the competence of a researcher:
To prove that a PhD degree obtained from a university is of high quality and the individual is competent as a researcher, various criteria and standards can be used. Here are some important factors that help demonstrate the quality of a good PhD degree and the skills of a researcher:
Publications:
⊕ Publishing research findings in international peer-reviewed journals during and after the PhD is extremely important.
⊕ The depth and relevance of research depend on where it is published, i.e., the number of articles in journals with a significant impact factor.
⊕ Citation count, that is, how many times other researchers refer to your work, is an indicator of quality.
Research Impact:
⊕ The practical impact of your research—especially if it plays a role in developing new technologies, processes, or policies—is a crucial indicator.
⊕ Patents, technological innovations, or business applications can demonstrate the practical value of your research.
Funding and Fellowships:
⊕ Receiving funding from significant research organizations or institutions, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), European Research Council (ERC), etc.
⊕ Obtaining prestigious fellowships or scholarships, such as Fulbright, Marie Curie Scholarships, etc.
Teaching and Supervision:
⊕ Holding teaching positions at a university after the PhD and supervising new PhD students as a skilled researcher.
⊕ Successfully guiding PhD students to complete their research under your supervision demonstrates competence in research and mentorship.
Conference Participation and Presentation:
⊕ Attending international research conferences and presenting your work, which gives your research global exposure.
⊕ Receiving invitations as a keynote speaker at various conferences is recognition of you as an established researcher.
Collaborations:
⊕ Collaborating with various international or national organizations and publishing joint research papers, which contributes to increasing the quality and global acceptance of your research.
Awards and Recognition:
⊕ Receiving various national and international research awards, such as the Nobel Prize, MacArthur Fellowship, or other significant recognition in research.
⊕ If your research helps solve an important scientific problem, it can lead to awards and honors in the future.
Professional Networking and Association Membership:
⊕ Being a member or in a leadership role in scientific, technical, or other professional societies such as IEEE, ACM, APS, etc.
⊕ These organizations provide an idea about the impact and acceptance of your research.
If these elements are present in a PhD researcher’s life, they provide clear evidence of the quality of their PhD degree and research competence.
Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Md. Yamin Hossain. Your tireless efforts and contributions to research are a source of pride for us. You have set an excellent example of quality research and inspiration for students under your supervision. We hope your success continues and you reach new heights in the future.
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