“Advanced Research Skills”

26 Nov – 14 Dec 2012

‘UTM-Maldives Summer School’ was held for three weeks, involving 20 post-graduate students who have completed 120 hours (40 hours of lectures, 80 hours of field work). In the first week (26 to 29 November 2012), they were introduced to the concept and theory of continued research, tools for quantitative and qualitative analysis, project management and others to address current global issues by experienced lecturers from various backgrounds. In the second week (3-7 December 2012), the students have been conducting fieldwork in the Republic of Maldives. In this phase, students handle real case study related issues in the Republic of Maldives. They have identified the problem, designing, collecting data, and managing creative and innovative research, and further suggests the products or services that could be commercialized. Among the projects proposed by the students were “Homegrown Hydroponic”, “Carbon Footprint Challenge”, “Effective Microorganism (EM) Technology for Solid Waste Management” and “Study of Shopping Behaviour in Maldives”. While in the Republic of Maldives, students met and meetings with officials in the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, which has been providing views and true picture of the current issues in the Republic of Maldives. Students also interact directly with local communities by conducting questionnaires and interviews. With this method, students were exposed to research techniques in qualitative and quantitative. On the third week (10-14 December 2012), students have to prepare and present reports, and present their findings in a seminar. At the presentation sessions, students produced a video featuring their findings and a final report.

 The participants of UTM-Maldives Summer School 2012

Students meeting at the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture

Students doing questionnaire with the locals