Beyond lecturing, publishing, and securing research grants, one of the most rewarding dimensions of academic life is supervising and mentoring postgraduate scholars. Yesterday, I conducted a mock presentation session for my PhD student, Nur Farihan, as she prepares for her upcoming Qualifying Assessment (QA). During the session, she delivered a presentation on her doctoral research titled “A Conceptual Model of Spatial Policy in Spatial Data Sharing from Ethical Aspects”.

Conducting these mock evaluations before the formal QA is an essential step in the mentorship process. It provides a dedicated space for us as supervisors to critically evaluate whether the research depth, theoretical framing, and methodological approach meet the high bar expected at the PhD level. More importantly, it allows the student to stress-test their ideas, sharpen their defense, and gain the confidence needed before facing the official assessment panel.

Nur Farihan handled the session impressively, demonstrating a strong grasp of her research gap and proposed framework. Guiding passionate researchers as they navigate the complexities of spatial policy and data ethics is a privilege, and I look forward to seeing her research make a tangible impact in the field. All the best for the official QA presentation!

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