Department of Library and information studies, UB PhD /Master’s Student Expectations: A paper presented during Graduate Students seminar series presentations. Lawal Iro Sani Department of Library and information studies, UB October 2014.

Introduction The primary goal of graduate studies is to prepare students for > Scholarly and professional achievement. >Students will be educated in the skills of their discipline. > Students will be trained in ethical foundation of research.

As a result of the above training, students would have the capacity for independent mind, critical judgment and using the training and knowledge for the betterness of their community.

Graduate students policies and procedures.

Graduate students expectations Graduate students expectations. These depends on: > Mutual efforts of the department and the student to work tirelessly and diligently. > Graduate students must always relate with their research. > Graduate researchers must always relate with their supervisors (mentors) > Graduate students must have access to resources where ever they are.

> Graduate students is expected to receive guidance, advise and direction regarding his/her academic performances(proper mentoring) > He/she should receive training on current and best practices in research (workshops , seminars and conference attendance) > Graduate student must always be given the chance to choose appropriate topic of his/her choice

> Graduate students must always be evaluated and should be given fair assessment. > Graduate students should be provided with feed back on his performances and areas for improvement. >He/She should be given the chance for apppeal provided he/she has genuine cause.

Commitments of Mentors *A supervisor should be committed to the education and training of the graduate student as a future member of the scientific community Should help to plan and direct the graduate student’s project, set reasonable and attainable goals, and establish a timeline for completion of the project Should be committed to providing resources for the graduate student as appropriate or according to my institution’s guidelines, in order for him/her to conduct thesis/dissertation research.

Commitment cont. Should also lead by example and facilitate the training of the graduate student in complementary skills needed to be a successful scientist, such as oral and written communication skills, grant writing, lab management, animal and human research policies, the ethical conduct of research, and scientific professionalism. Should also encourage the student to seek opportunities in teaching

>Graduate students should have a timeline with which he/she will complete his programme. > He/she must be ready to expand the knowledge acquired. > Must ensure he/she assume the highest integrity of the ethical standard of the university in all aspect of his /her work, and While getting ready for proposal or theses defense should take these into consideration:

While getting ready for presentation While getting ready for presentation * Do your home work, master what you wanted to present. * Plan out your presentation as a team. Thoroughly discuss the sequence of the presentation * Try to come up with possible questions from the audience. Then answer those questions

Make sure you brought everything with you. Make sure all the parts of the thesis are in place (including Appendices, References) Prepare well but don’t forget that there are many things that are beyond your control, i.e. Prayer Dress well and be confident and not arrogant Be animated! Project your voice well or else use a microphone

Ensure subject-verb agreement Use correct proposition and most importantly. Don’t go beyond 45 minutes in your presentation. Remember, your panel has already read your thesis. The most essential parts of your presentation are your overview and the most important findings of your study.

Conclusion In conclusion, a student researcher should always bear in his mind that he/she has a goal that he/she wanted to achieve within a stipulated time. Monetary inducement, bribery of what ever form should be avoided. Supervisors should act and be seen as partners in progress not antagonist.

References Boston University (2014) Fair expectation for graduate students. www.bumc.bu.edu BUK (2012) Graduate Students Handbook. www.buk.edu.ng Rochester University (2014)Policies for Graduate students: PhD students expectations and responsibilities. www.rochester.edu UNESCO (2010) Code of conduct and ethical guidelines for research.

Thank You for your time