Empowering Postgraduate Students: Insights from the Proposal Development Workshop

Empowering Postgraduate Students: Insights from the Proposal Development Workshop

Postgraduate research is a journey filled with challenges, and one of the most crucial stages is developing a well-structured and compelling research proposal. Understanding the difficulties students often encounter in this process, the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies (DPGS) at Egerton University organized a Proposal Development Workshop on February 14, 2025, at the Physical Science Theatre 2 (PST2). The workshop aimed to equip students with the necessary skills to craft strong research proposals while also fostering time management, planning, and networking opportunities vital for academic and professional success.

A Platform for Growth and Learning

The training was officially launched by Prof. Samuel Nyalala, the Deputy Director of DPGS, who warmly welcomed Prof. Charles M'Erimba, the newly appointed Director of DPGS. Prof. M’Erimba introduced himself, highlighting his extensive experience in research, teaching, consultancy, and leadership. He encouraged the postgraduate students to actively engage in the session and formally opened the workshop.

With 33 students in attendance (15 female and 18 male), including international students, the event attracted a diverse and dynamic group eager to enhance their research capabilities. Their participation underscored the importance of such capacity-building initiatives.

Equipping Students for Research Excellence

The workshop, themed "Turning Ideas into Impact: The Proposal Journey," provided students with critical knowledge on structuring research, clarifying objectives, and selecting appropriate methodologies. Over the course of the day, the following topics were covered:

• Roadmap to Timely Completion of Postgraduate Studies
• Formulating a Research Problem
• Expected Standards for Master’s and Doctorate Proposals
• Key Components of a Research Proposal
• Crafting a Strong Research Title
• Declaration & Recommendation Sections
• Budgeting for Research
• Developing a Work Plan
• Proposal Submission Guidelines
• Plagiarism Avoidance and Referencing (APA 7th Edition)

Students were also introduced to the use of digital tools for citation and plagiarism checking, including Turnitin and peer-reviewed journals, to uphold academic integrity.

Engaging Discussions and Practical Learning

The workshop was highly interactive, with students engaging in discussions on research proposal standards for both Master’s and PhD programs. Key takeaways included:

• The importance of defining a clear and concise research problem
• The significance of a well-structured literature review and methodology
• Strategies for time management and early submission
• Using academic databases and software tools to enhance research quality

One interesting question raised during the discussion involved citing works with more than 50 authors in APA style and how to reference an author with multiple publications within the same year. This highlighted students’ keen interest in mastering proper referencing techniques.

A Call for Continued Support

The workshop was met with positive feedback, with students expressing appreciation for the insights gained. Many called for more frequent training sessions and closer engagement between postgraduate students and the DPGS to ensure continuous academic support and mentorship.

As Egerton University continues to prioritize research excellence, such workshops play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of scholars. With better preparation, guidance, and resources, postgraduate students are now better equipped to transform their ideas into impactful research contributions.