Student Profile

About me

Name: Ahmad
Course: Chemical Engineering MPhil, PhD
PhD Title: Irregular aluminium foam and phase change material composite in transient thermal management
Study mode: Full time
Where I’m from: Malaysia

Choosing Newcastle

I met my current co-supervisor when he taught me a module back when I was doing my MEng programme in Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh. He asked if I was interested in doing a PhD in Newcastle where he had an opening, so I accepted his offer. I was never interested in Newcastle before as I only considered it as a city where the train stopped between Edinburgh and London – and oh boy, how wrong I was.

Studying at Newcastle

The University really takes good care of you as a PhD student. You’re given freedom in carrying out your work but they do keep tabs on you. As a policy, the research group I am in – the Process Intensification group – aims to have fortnightly meetings between supervisor(s) and student. The laboratory and analytical equipment are competitive compared to other academic settings for research purposes.

Postgraduate Community

I think the diversity, be it in terms of nationality or age, is surprisingly enriching as a postgraduate. You are placed in an office along with other PhD students, therefore you are bound to connect with the people in there. Many of my good friends are my officemates – we have coffee and dinner together, drive to the Lake District together, and more – so you can imagine the close knit community in Merz Court.

Funding my studies

I was sponsored by the Malaysian Government to study in the UK from undergraduate to postgraduate – so for this I am very thankful.

Career aspirations

Right now I am employed as a post-doc for a three-year project even before I graduate (ie viva), my supervisor referred me to this post. I aspire to be employed in the chemical or aerospace industries, but I would like to enhance my knowledge further during these next three years as a post-doc – I would like to publish more papers and gain more experimental experience. I would like to return to Edinburgh or Glasgow, back to where I started in the UK for work after I have finished my post-doc.

Accommodation

I have lived in private accommodation from the beginning – my own apartment – because I like to have my own private space. It is on the Quayside and was easy to arrange by myself.

Living in Newcastle

I love, love, love the Quayside, and it’s where I live. It’s a gem of Newcastle. The hotels, the restaurants, the Starbucks (in Malmaison) – they are all my playground. In late spring or summer when it’s hot, the Quayside is where you want to be – having a cold beer outside the Pitcher and Piano. I like the calming view of the flowing River Tyne (even from my apartment balcony).

Remembering Newcastle

Wherever I go after this, Newcastle will always be etched in my memory as I will have spent six or seven years here by that time. Who knows, I may stay here for a longer time? I try not to think too far ahead. I just want to enjoy the moment here, for now. People in the North East are very warm and fun and I have really enjoyed socialising here.