PhD - An Unforgettable Journey
- Afnan Khan
- May 26, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 16, 2020
“He’s Nailed It”
I still remember that day in the autumn of 2012 when I entered the University of Vaasa Main Building (Tervahovi) looking for the place for master’s degree students to register. I noticed there was some ceremony taking place. Several people were gathered around one board and one person was delivering a short speech. I asked someone what was going on and he told me that it is nailing ceremony for a doctoral student, explaining a little bit of what nailing actually means. So, nailing takes place before the public examination of the thesis, which will be "nailed" to a board in the University Main Building. The nailing is probably a tradition inherited from a German monk named Martin Luther, who tacked his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenberg in 1517. While listening to him and looking at the nailing board I wondered whether I would also be able to do that someday and stand in the same place with a smiling face (a big dream of a person who had not even started their masters yet ). But finally, I also “Nailed It” after two years working on my M.Sc. and four years on my Ph.D. Here are some shots from my dissertation nailing ceremony in the University of Vaasa, Finland ahead of the public defence. Thanks to all colleagues who were there to share the moment. فَبِأَيِّ آلاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
“Hard work betrays none”
When you dream about something, either big or small, it always demands hard work. So, my dream to go abroad and achieve the highest degree was finally coming to life. But it was really not quite as simple as it may look, or easy to write in a few words. It was a nerve-racking path full of ups and downs in my professional and personal life. There was a lot of motivation from one side and lots of demotivation from another side. Many moments came on this journey of study abroad and obtaining the highest degree was not an easy task. Financial issues, odd jobs, professional problems and personal thoughts are always there to haunt your self-confidence. Many people silently or openly gave me the motivation to do more hard work and many people, on the other hand, made fun of the dream because in their opinion studying for that long is a crazy idea and instead any job should be taken to get some fixed salary. But Finland gave me the chance to see if I could succeed and I did, whatever the hardships that came on the way. I am thankful to Finland’s education system, which gave me the chance to fulfil my dream 6000 km away from my homeland and perhaps that is why I feel so deeply attached to this land of innovation.
I am thankful to all of my family and friends for their unconditional support and help to complete this journey. I miss my grandmother so much today, she was a real inspiration and made education a number one priority in her own life and in the lives of her grandchildren.
This degree is dedicated to you Bari-Ammi (Grand Mother), I hope you are watching somewhere from the skies and are finally proud of me today. Your grandson did it . Hopefully, my father and mother will also be happy to see Dr. with my name one way or another . And all those who are in similar struggling positions like mine at the moment, don’t worry guys you will be fine just keep trying and being consistent, your time will come soon .
فَإِنَّ مَعَ العُسرِ يُسرًا
إِنَّ مَعَ العُسرِ يُسرًا
In the end, I ask that all of the people who are reading this post please do have a look at my book, it is freely accessible at the following link as a PDF (langauge can be changed into English/Finnish on website).
More details about the nailing process:
About Author
As Business Coordinator and Researcher, Afnan contributes to Business Innovation possibilities, and the Research-based analysis in Public and Private sector projects In Finland. He also works as a University Researcher in the area of sustainable and innovative production.
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