"On top of the world" – PhD graduates get ready to celebrate

As they prepare to celebrate at the Doctoral Degrees Ceremony this Friday, our PhD graduates reflect on the ups and downs, share their inspiration, and thank those who helped them reach the end of a long road.

Not many people with no prior experience in research choose to study a PhD. But that’s exactly how David Tedjopurnomo began his PhD journey.

“When I started my PhD, I had absolutely zero experience. I hadn’t read any research papers and was completely unaware of the research process,” he says.

Growing up in a country with serious traffic congestion problems, David was inspired to research how deep-learning geospatial data can be used to analyse urban traffic patterns and make transportation systems more efficient and equitable.

He credits his supervisors with getting him through the early stages of his PhD and helping him refine his research area.

“My supervisors were very accommodating,” he says. “They pointed me to important resources that helped my learning... Before long, I got accustomed to research life.”

His PhD journey wasn’t all smooth sailing from there, though. He encountered a major challenge with his topic along the way that caused him to almost give up altogether.

PhD graduate David Tedjopurnomo presenting at a conference in South Korea.

I actually considered quitting, but thanks to the encouragement of my main supervisor, Professor Zhifeng Bao, I decided to soldier on.

“Professor Bao helped me understand the perseverance that is required for a PhD student and helped me develop the mindset of a researcher,” says David.

Professor Bao says it was an honour to supervise someone as open to learning as David.

“He is someone that is open-minded and always strives to improve himself,” Professor Bao says. “He acknowledges his flaws and is honest about them, never hesitating to ask for comments and criticism of his work.”

This attitude carried David through his PhD and saw him achieve many exceptional milestones, such as speaking at an overseas conference.

“The main highlight of my PhD was when I was invited to present at a conference in South Korea. It was quite an experience to be able to share my work... [with] different parts of the globe,” says David.

Asked how it feels to finally be graduating on Friday, David says he’s elated and can't wait to share the moment with those closest to him who contributed to his success.

“[I’m] on top of the world,” he says. “I’d like to thank my parents for their unending support... [during] my darkest, most difficult days.”

PhD graduate Eric Keys feels “immense satisfaction and relief” at completing his PhD after a long six years.

Coming from an engineering background, Eric knew he had to broaden his skill set and knowledge to write his thesis, which looks at the planning practices of transport mega-projects like the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project.

"It was a journey of discovery and learning," Eric says. “I discovered I had to become a social scientist to understand planning practice. Teaching myself social theory was a significant challenge that ultimately became one of my highlights.”

PhD graduate Eric Keys.

In particular, Eric’s supervisors gave him invaluable advice and direction that shaped his research.

Professor Jago Dodson became Eric’s joint supervisor halfway through his PhD, and they enjoyed a strong working relationship.

“Professor Dodson impressed upon me the importance of embracing a theoretical framework for my thesis,” Eric says, which equipped him with the tools to achieve the rigour expected of a PhD.

“Working with Eric on his thesis research was a genuinely rewarding experience as a supervisor,” Professor Dodson says. “He was diligent, thoughtful and always ready to think through challenging questions.”

Of course, Eric also attributes a good deal of his success to his biggest supporter, his loving wife.

One special person I would like to acknowledge is my wife, who has always supported me in whatever crazy thing I have done.

No one understands the trials and tribulations of a PhD quite like new graduate Erin Koletsis.

“My PhD journey was long. It took nine years to complete, a combination of full-time and part-time study,” she says.

Understandably, Erin says she’s feeling a significant amount of relief and pride ahead of her graduation on Friday.

Erin’s thesis explores how maps can be designed for map-illiterate users. She was inspired to research the topic by the stories she heard from friends and family who struggle to use maps to find their way around.

“While there was much research on individual differences in spatial abilities, there was little regarding solutions for this particular user group,” she says.

Like David, Erin’s PhD journey also took her across the globe, where she spent over a year in the Netherlands studying a dual-degree PhD program.

PhD graduate Erin Koletsis.

A definite highlight was spending time in Europe and making life-long friends with people from all over the world.

Erin’s supervisor Dr Amy Griffin says she’s really proud of the great researcher Erin has become.

"One of the moments in which I was most proud... was in Erin’s thesis defence,” Dr Griffin says. “I saw her really owning her project and answering the opponents’ challenging questions with aplomb.”

Erin thanks her supervisors for getting her where she is today.

“My supervisors kept encouraging me to just put one foot in front of the other, and reassuring me that by doing so, I would eventually finish.”

Congratulations to all our 2023 Doctoral Degrees graduates! You should be immensely proud of all you’ve accomplished, and we look forward to celebrating with you on Friday.

Tune in to the ceremony livestream

Know someone who’s graduating or want to help celebrate our graduates’ outstanding work? Tune in to the ceremony livestream this Friday 12 May or share a message of congratulations on social media using #RMITGrad.

Watch the ceremony

08 May 2023

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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"On top of the world" – PhD graduates get ready to celebrate