Keerthi S Baliga is all set to fly to the United Kingdom to begin her research project at the University of Warwick. The native of Mala in Kerala's Thrissur district has won a scholarship worth Rs 1.5 crore to do research on Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology at the university that is on the 64th position in the QS World Ranking. Keerthi is not worried about the expenses there as she has won the prestigious Chancellor’s International Scholarship.
Guide, university
The way in which an aspiring research scholar seeks chance in a foreign university is quite different from the universities here. Before applying at the university, a guide in the respective subject should be ready to take you in. Besides, the availability of lab facilities too is important.
In the biodata submitted to the guide, you should include the details about the dissertations done during the undergraduate and postgraduate courses and the list of the articles authored by you that have been published in international magazines. If the biodata is impressive, then the main supervisor would conduct the interview. Sometimes, a supporting supervisor too would conduct interview depending upon the area of research.
The candidate’s aptitude for research and in–depth knowledge in the subject would be analysed in the interview. The selected candidates can submit applications at the university with the help of supervisors. There will be an interview round before awarding the scholarship.
Clear career goals
Your efforts would be easier if you have clear idea about the career path that you wish to pursue, when you are studying in Class 10. Biology was Keerthi’s favourite subject. She chose BSc Zoology for her graduation. She passed the course from the University of Calicut with a second rank. Meanwhile, she was the topper in MSc Animal Science that she did at Central University of Kerala in Periya. She then bagged the Junior Research Fellowship after training for just a month. After getting through GATE, Keerthi will now go to the UK for research in her favourite field.
Follow experts
Keerthi says that she always enjoyed studying. She prepared notes using authentic textbooks, science articles and YouTube videos. She advises students to follow the channels of experts as YouTube contains videos that do not give right information. Moreover, Keerthi loved studying with her friends. Even though Keerthi doesn’t spend long hours studying, she says she can really concentrate whenever she sits down to study.
Proper and timely revision helps in refreshing the memory.
Her father M Sanjay Baliga who is a volleyball coach and mother CV Bindu offer their whole-hearted support for her pursuits in higher studies.